
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, 



XEW-BRUXj^WICK, X. J. 

DkMCATKD SiEPTEMBER 27, ls]2 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 



DELIVERED AT THE 



CELEBRATION 



m mmmxtu urn mmtib ^nmbtxmxn 



FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, 

NEW-BRUNSWICK, N. J., 
OCTOBER 1, 1867. 



EICHARD H. STEELE, D. D. , 



PASTOR OF THE CUUKCn. 



New-Brunswick, N. J. : , 
IPXJSLISIiEir) BY THE COlSrSISXOR'i'. 

1867. 



h!4-4- 



JOHN A. OKAY i 0FIE6N, PHINIERS, It ANB 18 JACOa STREET, NEW-VC 



PREFACE. 



The First Reformed Dutch Cliurcli of New-Brunswick, 
'N. J., completed lier One Hundred and Fiftieth year, 
April 12th, 1867. The precise date of organization was 
not ascertained until quite recently. No written history 
of the church has ever been puhlished. The task would 
have been one of comparative ease fifty years ago. Then 
the children of the early settlers were still living ; records 
were in existence which have since perished with the 
disuse of the Dutch language ; and important documents 
which would have been of great value in forming our 
narrative have been lost or destroyed. The recovery of 
our early book of records, incomplete as it is, has been 
of incalculable benefit. But I have searched in vain for 
publications of Rev. Mr. Lej'dt, Jacobus Schureman, 
Hendrick Fisher, and pa^^ers relating to the controversies 
during the times of Rev. T. J. Frelinghuysen, which are 
known to Lave been in existence at the beginning of the 
century. 

We have endeavored to produce a history during a 
long period when there were no records of consistory 
kept, and have gathered many of our facts from traditions 
which yet remain with some distinctness among the peo- 



IV PREFACE. 

pie. Our work is not complete, hut that we have given 
to it no small amount of labor will be understood by those 
who have undertaken similar productions. It will be 
found to present many facts extending beyond our par- 
ticular church, and embrace materials relating to the 
town of interest to all our citizens. 

The pastor would express his particular acknowledg- 
ments to his own people who have kindly assisted him in 
his investigations, and have directed him to sources of im- 
portant information. He has found the volumes of Wil- 
liam A. Whitehead, Esq., and the Historical Discourse 
of Rev. Mr. Corwin, of great value in compiling the early 
part of his narrative. He is indebted to the publications 
of Dr. Messier and Rev. William Demarest, in writing his 
history of the life and ministry of Rev. Mr. Frelinghuy- 
sen. Dr. W. B. Sprague has kindly given him access to 
his unpublished volume of the biogra]3hies of ministers 
of the Reformed Dutch Cliurch, which we hope will soon 
be issued from the press. His thanks are due to Rev. Mr, 
Demarest, for translations from the Dutch of letters of 
Jufvrow Hardenbergh, and for extracts from her journal ; 
to Mrs. Hanson, for important information in reference to 
her father. Dr. Condict ; to Hon. Ralph Yoorhees, for pa- 
pers relating to his ancestor, Minne Van Voorhees, and 
for the draft prepared by himself and Mr. JN". W. Par- 
sells, from which was produced the accurate sketch, by 
Mr. Thomas N. Doughty, of the "Old Stone Church" 
erected in 1767, and which gave such interest to our An- 
niversary ; to Mr. John W. Warnshuise, for his assistance 
in translating our early Dutch records ; and to the surviv- 
ing pastors especially for their information and encou- 
ragement in preparing the history. 

The Historical Discourse, which comprises the main 
body of this volume, owes its publication to the following 



PEEFACE. V 

action of Consistory, commnnicated tlirongli a committee 
appointed for tliat purpose : 

"New-Brunswick, October 8, 18G7. 
" Rev. Richard II. Steele, DD. : 

" Dear Sir : By the unanimous resolution of Consistory, we hereby thank 
you for the valuable and interesting Historical Discourse delivered October 
1st, 1867, on the occasion of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of 
the founding of our church, and request you to furnish a copy for publi- 
cation, with suitable notes and appendices, together with the sermon 
preached on the succeeding Sabbath. 

" Very sincerely j'ours, 

Lewis Applegate, 
Johnson Letson." 

The Anniversary was celebrated on the day mentioned 
in the above note, with suitable commemorative exercises. 
Invitations had been extended to former members of the 
congregation and their descendants, to unite with us in 
the services connected with this interesting occasion. On 
the morning of that day the following Discourse was in 
part delivered ; but as the material which had been gath- 
ered was deemed too important to be lost, it is now com- 
mitted to the press as it was originally prepared. 

The account of the celebration, with the addresses de- 
livered on the occasion, forming the second j)art of this 
volume, was prepared under the direction of the commit- 
tee, and will be found a correct transcriiot of an Anniver- 
sary long to be remembered. 

The pastor sends forth this volume among his people 
and the friends of the church, with the prayer that this 
humble effort to produce the history of one of the most 
important congregations of our denomination, may be the 
means of awakening within us a new sense of our respon- 
sibility to the Lord Jesus Christ, and serve to advance 
the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom. 

Parsonage House, No. 100 George Street, ) 
New-Brunswick, N. J., December 1, 1867. \ 



OP THE 

FIRST PiEFOllMED DUTCH CHUECH, 

New-Brunswick, October 1, 1807. 



The following was the Order of Exercises : 

Znvocaiioii and Headinff the Scriptures . 
Rev. GABRIEL LUDLOW, D.D. 

l^rayer. 
Rev. ISAAC FERRIS, D.D. 

Singing. 
Celebration Hymn, Written by Rev. PETER STRYKER, D.D. 

Jlisiorical Discourse. 
Rev. RICHARD H. STEELE, D.D. 

Singing. 
Ode, Written by Prop. DAVID MURRAY. 

Senediction . 
Rev. THOMAS De WITT, D.D. 



AFTEEll^OOJSr. 

c4.nthem . 
BY THE CHOIR. 

c-lddresses. 
Rev. THOMAS DE WITT, D.D. 
Rev. S. M. WOODBRIDGE, D.D. 
Rev. CHARLES S. HAGEMAN, D.D. 
Rev. WILLIAM H. CAMPBELL, D.D. 
Rev. p. D. VAN CLEEF, D.D. 
Rev. DAVID D. DEMAREST, D.D. 

S^oetn. 

Prop. DAVID MURRAY. 

Grayer. 

Rev. p. D. OAKEY. 

Doxology . Senediclion . 



sheading Uie Scrij)hires and frayer. 

Rev. Prof. JOSEPH F. BERG, D.D. 

Singing. 

The Third Jubilee, W^ritten by Rev. JOHN B. STEELE. 

,^i.ddress. 

By Senior Ex-Pastor Rev. ISAAC FERRIS, D.D. 

Soxology. Senediciion. 



Part First. 



SUCCESSION OF PASTORS, 



Historical Discourse, 

BY 

KICHAKD II. STEELE D.D. 



SUCCESSION OF PASTORS 



FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, 



NEW-BRUNSWICK. 



1. THEODORUS JACOBUS FRELINGHUYSEN 
3. JOHANNES LEYDT, .... 

3. JACOB RUTSEN IIARDENBERGII, D.D., 

4. IRA CONDICT, D.D., 

5. JOHN SCHUREMAN, D.D., . 
G. JESSE FONDA, .... 

7. JOHN LUDLOW, D.D., . 

8. ISAAC FERRIS, D.D., . 

9. JAMES B. IIARDENBERGH, D.D., 

10. JACOB J. JANEWAY, D.D., . 

11. SAMUEL B. HOW, D.D., . 
13. RICHARD H. STEELE, D.D., 



1730 to 1748 


1748 ' 


' 1783 


178G ' 


' 1790 


1793 ' 


' 1811. 


1813 • 


' 1813. 


1813 ' 


' 1817 


1817 ' 


' 1819 


1831 ' 


' 1834 


1825 ' 


' 1839 


1830 ' 


' 1831 


1833 ' 


' 1861 


1863. 





STORICAL DISCOURS 



The Scottisli Pilgrim, it is said, in a spirit of pious 
veneration, visited the graves of those who had died 
martyrs of religion. His purpose was to refresh his 
own mind, and revive in the hearts of his countrymen 
the record of their noble lives, their heroic endurances, 
and their triumphant deaths. With engraver's chisel,, 
he went from churcliyard to churchyard over that land 
of martyrs, and on the fading stone he reproduced the 
record of their names, their sufferings, and their renown. 
Our undertakino; this morninc; "will resemble that of 
" Old Mortality ;" for we are to recall the names and re- 
vive the record of a noble race of men, who, more than 
one hundred and fifty years ago, laid the foundation of 
our civil and religious institutions, and whose early sac- 
rifices and toils, and earnest piety and devotion, should 
be held by us in sacred remembrance. 

I am to give you a sketch of the history of the origin, 
the progress, the struggles, and the triumphs of the Re- 
formed Protestant Dutch Church of New-Brunswick. 
This is the oldest religious organization in this city, re- 
liable authorities fixing its origin in the early part of 
the last century, and making it coeval Avith the first 
settlement of this locality. The period itself is remote 
and interesting. The most wonderful movements of 
Divine Providence in the civil and ecclesiastical his- 



10 niSTORICAL DISCOUKSE. 

tory of tlie world were centring around this period, 
giving an impulse to emigration, and marking out the 
distinctive character of the early settlers. In England, 
the nation had not yet subsided from that mighty civil 
commotion which had elevated William, Prince of 
Orange, to the throne, and reasserted the supremacy of 
those fundamental laws of the laud which had so long 
and tyrannically been disregarded l)y the reigning 
power. The revocation of the Edict of Nantes, under 
Louis XIV., had driven into exile more than five hun- 
dred thousand of the most industrious and learned citi- 
zens of France, who carried with them the higher type 
of civilization and religion in wdiich the Protestants 
greatly excelled, into those countries which they se- 
lected as their homes. The Dutch Republic, though 
shorn of its maritime strength, had obtained a supre- 
macy in literature and religion, as well as in its system 
of civil toleration, which rendered it the model govern- 
ment of the w^orld. 

Matthew Henry had not yet completed his Expo- 
sition of the Bible. James Saurin had only recently 
commenced the labors of the ministry at the Hague. 
John -Wesley liad not yet been raised up to stem the 
prevailing tide of formalism. In Holland, her divines 
were justly celebrated for their extensive learning and 
deep piety, while her universities and schools attracted 
students from all parts of the world. The celebrated 
Marck, in his theological chair at Leyden, made this 
university one of the most renowned on the continent 
of Eurojoe. Vitringa, noted for his accurate interpreta- 
tions of the Bible and his eloquence as a preacher, gave 
celebrity to the institution at Francker. At Utrecht, 
some of the most brilliant lis^hts shone from the chairs 
of theology and literature. And in the pulpit we find 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 11 

tlie names of sucli distinguished divines as Brakel, Van- 
derkemp, and Hellenbrook, wliose sound views of tnitli 
and deep learning still sliine consj^icuously in their 
voluminous theoloo-ical writino-s. The first Enirlish 
copy of the Bible had just been published in the Ameri- 
can Colonies. The third college had just been founded 
at New-Haven ; one newspaper, 2:»ublished on a half sheet 
of foolscap, ^vas regularly issued at Boston; the largest 
city was New- York, a hamlet of about six thousand 
inhabitants; and the total 2">opulation of the colonies 
had not yet reached five hundred thousand. There 
were a few towns located in the Province of New- 
Jersey, and only two ministers of our denomination in 
the State.-"^ 

In compiling the history of this church, I have labored 
under the difi&culty experienced in other quarters, of the 
imperfection of early Consistorial records and the loss 
of important dociunents. By diligent search I have re- 
covered possession of a volume in the Dutch language, 
which had been lost for upward of thirty years, con- 
taining much valuable information. Some important 
facts are stated in reference to the origin of this church, 
as also tliat of Six Mile Bun. It contains the names of 
the first Consistory, a complete list of the original mem- 
bers, a register of the additions to the church at each 
communion, and a full record of baptisms. The first 
entry in this volume bears the date of April 12th, 1717, 
and we are celebrating the one hundred and fiftieth 
anniversary of the founding of the Reformed Dutch 
Church of New-Brunswick. It is to be reo-retted that 
the proceedings of Consistory were not more carefully 

* Rev. Guilliam Bertholf was the minister of the church at Hackensack 
and Aquackononck from 1694 to 1724 ; and Rev. Joseph Morgan was set- 
tled at Freehold and Middletown from 1709 to 1731. 



12 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

recorded and preserved, in tlie absence of wliich we 
sliall Lave to depend upon sucli facts as we can glean 
from tlie published minutes of ecclesiastical bodies, the 
historical incidents found in early records, and the tra- 
ditions of the 2:)eople. 

Previous to commencing the history of the church, I 
will be expected to give a succinct sketch of the settle- 
ment and develoj^ment of the civil history of this city 
and country adjacent. My labor will consist in arrang- 
ing materials already in existence, and in bringing to 
lio-ht some facts which are concealed in civil and eccle- 

o 

siastical documents. 

The earliest instrument fixing the boundary of the 
State of New-Jersey is a deed or conveyance granted 
by the Duke of York, June 23d, 1664, to two proprie- 
tors. Sir James Berkley and Sir George Carteret. In 
the following year, Philip Carteret, brother of Sir 
George, came over as governor of this province, and de- 
vised liberal plans for the encouragement of emigration. 
His plans were successful, and many families from New- 
England, enticed by the lil^eral constitution which he 
had framed, took up lands, and made this their home. 
These settlements were principally made in that j)ortion 
of the territory which was most convenient of access 
from New- York. The south side of the Raritan river 
was not settled until about twenty years after a lai'ge 
emigration from New-England had purchased lands and 
located in the towns of Bergen, Woodbridge, Piscata- 
way, and Elizabethto^vn. About this time a small 
colony located at Shrewsbury, and several families from 
Long Island settled at Middletown, in the county of 
Monmouth. These were the principal settlements up 
to this date in this section of the State. 

On the death of Sir George Carteret, in 1679, the 



HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 13 

whole of East-Jersey passed into the hands of his 
executors, who continued to cany forward the govern- 
ment for the benefit of his estate, until a sale of the 
property should be accomplished according to the pro- 
visions of his will. This sale was eifected in 1682, to 
a company of twelve j)roprietors, for the sum of £3400. 
In order to divide up their interests, and spread infor- 
mation respecting their possessions, twelve additional 
partners were I'eceived into the company, to which 
board as now constituted the Duke of York made a 
new grant, March 14th, 1G82. Previous to this new 
arrangement, and while East New-Jersey was still in 
the possession of the executors of Sir George Carteret, 
a portion of the territory on which the city of New- 
Brunswick now^ stands, and above us on the south side 
of the Raritan, w^as surveyed and laid out into lots. It 
is to the credit of the early proprietors of our State that 
the land was purchased of the Indians by honorable and 
voluntary transactions, and thus the settlers were saved 
from the jealousies and dangers which other j^ortions of 
the American Colonies experienced. Such a purchase 
Avas made in June, 1681, by John Inians & Co., for the 
benefit of Lady Elizabeth Carteret, " the j^tresent lady 
proprietrix of the province," of a tract of land embrac- 
ing about ten thousand acres, called by the Indians 
Ahanderhamock.'"* This tract of land is described in 
the Indian deed as lying on the south side of the Kari- 
tan river, and opposite the town of Piscataway, under- 

*' The purchase was made of the Indians Quararaark, Sacaniaker, and 
Camacamo, representing; the Queraniacks and Camacoms. The amount 
paid was 200 lathonis of white wampum, 10 bLankcts, 20 DufHeld coats, 10 
p:uns, 10 kettles— two of them eight gallons — 2G yards stroud waters C:*), 
25 axes, 20 pairs of stockings, 20 shirts, 5 made coats, 4 pistols, GO bars 
of lead, ^ barrel powder, 25 pairs tobacco tongs, 2 ankers cf rum, 2 half- 
fatts of beer, ^ anker of molasses, 1 trarael, GO knives, 20 tobacco boxes, 
25 shot, I- cwt. of bread.— See JRoconls of Proprietors^ Amho'j, vol. ii. 
lib. i, p. 152. 



14: HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

stood to commence at what is now called Lawrence 
brook, and running along the river to near Boundbrook. 
A portion of this territory was shortly after surveyed 
and sold to different parties, and were subsequently 
known as the Earitan lots. 

November 10th, 1681, John Inians,'"^' one of this com- 
pany, and a merchant of New- York, purchased a por- 
tion of this tract containing twelve hundred and eighty 
acres, bounded on the north-east by the Karitan river, 
on the west by Andrew Bowne, south-east and south- 
west by land not yet survey ed.f This was the first 
purchase of land in what is now the city of New- 
Brunswick, the line of which is still preserved in some 
of our ancient deeds. The starting-point was a white 
oak-tree standing at the foot of Albany street, opposite 
the Bell tavern ; thence up the river one mile to a point 
near the residence of J. Warren Scott, Esq. ; thence in a 
south-westerly direction for two miles, or near the pro- 
liertj known as the Bruuson tavern; thence one mile 
south-easterly to a point intersecting the Trenton turn, 
pike; thence two miles north-easterly, entering the city 
along Livingston avenue, to the starting-point at the 
foot of Albany street. The ten lots immediately north 
of Inians's patent contained each five hundred acres. J 

* John Inians, of Raritan river, was appointed a member of Governor 
Hamilton's Council on September 14th, 1G92. (WhiteJieacrs Bad-Jersey, p. 
134.) Nothing is known of his place of residence or his history; but that 
he was a very extensive purchaser of lands, and a man of great wealth for 
tlie times, is inferred from his hu'ge transactions found on the Records of 
Proprietors at Amboy, and volumes of deeds at Trenton. 

t It is described as beginning at a white oak-tree, from thence running as 
the river runs eighty chains, thence running south-west one hundred and 
sixty chains, tlience south-east eighty chains, thence two miles to the tree 
from whence it first began. The land extending west of the Raritan lots, 
embracing nearly all the original territory of the Three Mile Run, New- 
Brunswick, and Six Mile Run congregations, was laid out into four large 
plots, for a description of which see Appendix I., furnished by Rev. Mr, 
Corwin. 

I They were owned by Andrew Bowne, Richard Jones, George Foreman, 
Joseph Snelling, Andrew Gibb, Gcrshom Browne, Jeremiah Tothill, Joseph 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 15 

South of the city, Thomas Lawrence owned three thou- 
sand acres, embracing the stream which since his pur- 
chase has been called La^\Tence brook. This tract of 
land subsequently came into the possession of Cornelius 
Longfield* and Governor Barclay, while that of Inians 
was purchased by Philip French,f under whose super- 
vision farms were surveyed, streets laid out, and build- 
ing-lots sold. 

The government of the twenty-four proprietors was 
so liberal, and contrasted so favorably with the adjoin- 
ing province of New- York, that settlers began to pour 
in from every direction, and for the next twenty years 
the population increased with great rapidity. The 
landholders used every effort to induce emigration by 
the liberal terms they offered, the glowing accounts 
they sent abroad of the salubrity of the climate, the 
productiveness of the soil, and the peaceful character 
of the natives. The original settlers in our immediate 
vicinity were Dutch ;|; and French Protestants, or Hu- 

Benbrigge, Thomas Mathew, and Edmoncl Gibbon. The map of Mr. Corwin, 
giving the Raritan lots, was compiled from Eeed's map, 1685, four years 
after the original purchase, and indicates the rapid changes which were now 
taking place, as they had nearly all passed into new hands. 

* This land, constituting a part of the lower section of the city, Longfield 
purcliased June 6th, 1089, described as lying on the Raritan river, opposite 
a meadow or marsli belonging to Charles Gilman, about one chain and a 
half below where a small run of water or brook falls into said river, from 
thence running south to a brook called Lawrence brook, and by the Indians 
Piscopock, from thence running down said Lawrence brook to the Raritan 
river, and along the Raritan to the place of beginning. John Ryder bought 
one hundred and fifty-four acres of Longfield, March 11th, 17-il, wdiich 
farm is still owned bj' his descendants. — Parchment Deed of Eyder. 

t lie owned a large tract opposite the city and in the vicinity. Instead 
of selling the property he ordinarily leased it, in some instances for two 
thousand years. Through j'everses during the Revolutionary War he became 
involved, and assigned his estate to James Parker, whose son, Hon. James 
Parker, Jr., of xVmboy, gave to the trustees of Queen's College the lot on 
which the present buildings stand. 

\ In a letter to the proprietors, March, 1684, Gawen Lowrie represents 
the Dutch settlers as very numerous, and speaks of a number who are de- 
siring to take up land and settle in the province. — Whitehead's East-Jersey, 
p. 289. 

Several Dutch fiunilies are known to have settled on the Raritan very 



10 niSTOKICAL DISCOUESE. 

guenots,'"^ and we can fix the elate of tlieir occui^ancy 
of this territoiy as early as 1684. The country hack of 
us, coverino; the rich farmino; lands of Three Mile Run, 
Middlehush, Six Mile Run, and onward to the MiU- 
stone, and both above and below us on the Raritan, 
was filled up when the central portion of our town was 
only known after the name of its proprietor as " Prig- 
more's Swamp." Early residents, in writing to their 
friends at home, represent the Dutch settlers along the 
Raritan as quite numerous and industrious. They were 
principally from Long Island and places adjacent. The 
prevailing cause of their emigration was the discontent 
that existed among them in consequence of the oppres- 
sive measures pursued by the civil authorities, in vex- 
ing them in reference to their religious preference and 
belief. These harsh measures drove out of Long Island 
and the vicinity of New- York a large population, who 
found in this teriitory, under the more judicious tolera- 
tion of the proprietors, perfect religious freedom, and 
room for their love of honest industry. 

There were other inducements invitino- into our State 
the Hollanders from New- York. Their motive in 
emisfration from the fatherland was different from that 
which prevailed with the Puritans of New-England, 
and the Scotch and Irish Presbyterians who settled in 
other localities. The latter were driven out of their 
country by persecution, and sought in the New World 
freedom in religious worship. The former had enjoyed 

early. Ilendrick Vroome, at the landing on the farm of the late Mr. Miindy ; 
George Anderson, on the property recently Dr. McClintock's ; the brothers 
Christopher and Jacob Probasco, on what is now the residence of Mr. Liv- 
ingston. 

* In our early records we find the names of several French emigrants, 
among them many undoubtedly of the proscribed Huguenot race, who had 
Vicen expelled from the kingdom on account of their Protestant principles. 
De Pcyster, Piappleyea, Van Duyn, La Monies, Le Queer, La Montague, and 
others. 



HI3T0EICAL DISCOURSE. 17 

ample toleration in tlieir own little republic, and came 
across the water to "better tlieir condition " and "build 
up another university tliat should rival Leyden, and 
another city that should outshine Amsterdam."* Their 
youth had been spent in a land which had been rescued 
from the encroachments of the sea by artificial embank- 
ments, and they had learned the art of industry long 
before they had encountered the hardships of this new 
land. Coming over the water Avith such intentions, 
they naturally sought the best soil and climate, and 
situations where they could build up their institutions 
with less fear of molestation. All these advantages 
the Province of New- Jersey aftbrded, and its very loca- 
tion reminded them of their former Belgian homes, 
while the facilities afforded them for sending their pro- 
duce to the growing markets of Amboyf and New-York 
bv river communication, uro'ed a new motive for their 
emigration. Proverbially fond of water-courses, and of 
the iiat country which reminded them of their old 
homes in Holland, they bought farms running down to 
the Karitan as they had opj^ortunity, and showed their 
Dutch caution by not getting too far inland. 

The earliest reference we have to tlie particular 
locality where Xew-Brunswick now stands is in the 

* See "Oration on the Conquest of New-Nctherland,'' before the Xew- 
York Historical Society, by the historian, J. Romeyii Brodhead. He says 
wiih great force: "It was for the true interest of America tliat Xew-York 
was founded by the Batavian race. That founding; pioduced our own mag- 
nanimous and cosmopolitan State, the influence of which on our nation has 
always been so happy and so healthful." 

t The design of the settlers was to make Amboy the first city of Xew- 
Jcrsey — the "London of America." A city charter was granted August 
24th, 171S, by Governor Robert Hunter. Its fine harbor, eligible situation, 
and healthy locality would seem to indicate a rapid growth. But, as the 
historian Smith remarks in 1765, by a fatality it never became a place of 
extensive trade. Samuel Groom, the surveyor-general at its first settlement 
in 1683, with an eye to its future history, laments, " If no help comes, it will 
l)e long ere Amboy be built as London is." — WhiteJuad^s Amhoi/, pp. 2, G, 
50, 54:. 

2 



IS niSTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

account of a traveler by the name of William Ed- 
mundson,'"" a minister of the society of Friends in 
England, who passed through the State with an Indian 
guide in 1G77, on what was then an Indian path, after- 
ward erected into a public highway. After crossing 
the ford at this place at low water, and penetrating 
inland about ten miles, he lost his way in the Ayilder- 
ness, and was a whole day in retracing his path to the 
Earitan river. At night he elicamped in the woods, 
kindling a lire for protection from the wild animals. 
This Indian path was afterward erected into an im- 
portant road, passing through the State from Elizabeth- 
town Point to a spot on the Delaware river in the 
vicinity of Trenton. The travel on this route became 
a matter of so much importance that a grant was given 
to John Inians and his wife, December 2d, 1697, to 
ferry passengers across the I'iver, for which privilege he 
was to pay the annual rent of five shillings sterling.f 
The place was called " Inians's Ferry" or "The Eiver" 
for about eighteen years. 

Probably about this date (1007) a few buildings be- 
gan to spring up around this centre, wharves were built 
at the foot of Albany street, and vessels from Amboy 
and New- York began to make their regular trips. 
Mechanics set up their places of business for the ac- 
commodation of theu' neighbors, and enterprising shop- 
keepers erected their stores and exposed their Avares to 
the fai'mers who came down to the river for barter or 



* See WJiiteheaiVs East- Jersey, p. 95. 

t The ferrj'^ at first provided only for pedestrians and horsemen. Even 
in 1716, in the rates allowed by "the Assembly, mention only is made of 
''horse and man" and "single persons." The facilities for traveling did 
not develop very rapidly. In 1704, the Nevr-York paper complains that in 
the "pleasant month of May, the last storm put our Pennsylvania mail a 
■ireeh hehind, aiid is not yet coDi'd i«." — Whitehead's Amboy, pp. 209, 273 ; 
East- Jersey, 102. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 19 

news. This was the beodnninsr of our town. The name 
of "Prigmore's Swamp" had been exchanged for that 
of "Inians's Ferry" about the year 1697, and now the 
accession of the House of Bruns^vick to the Biitish 
throne in 1714, induced the loyal Dutch inhabitants to 
dignify the \'illage with the name of the reigning family, 
New-Brunswick. 

Bobert Hunter, the royal governor of the province, 
residing at Perth xVmboy from 1709 to 1719, frequently 
v-isited this place, and eleven years after his return to 
Europe wrote to his agent, ^Ir. Alexander, for informa- 
tion in respect to the value of property around Inians's 
Ferry, desiring to purchase five or six hundred acres, if 
in his judgment it would prove a profitable investment. 
Mr. Alexander was very enthusiastic in his description 
of the place, stating that, during his residence of fifteen 
years, Xew-Brunswick had grown veiy rapidly, for the 
reason that the country back of this had improved 
quite fast. The farmers principally raised wheat, and 
the facilities of the large mills in the vicinity rendered 
this an important floiu'ing mart. " As New-Bruns- 
^vick," he adds, " is the nearest landing, it necessai'ily 
makes this the store-house for all the produce that ihey 
send to market, which has drawn a considerable num- 
ber of people to settle there, insomuch that a lot of 
ground is here grown to near as great a price a-s -so 
much ground in the heart of Kew- YorJc^^^' 

About this time (1730) several families emigrated 
fr-om Albany, X. Y. ; and the tradition is, that they 
brou2:ht with them theii" buildinn; materials, accordins: 



* WTiiteheafTs Amhoy, p. 155: "In a previous letter, dated in Janu- 
ary, Mr. Alexander says that ' plantations north of the Raritan had risen 
extravagantly high, even to three, four, and five pounds per acre, and for a 
tract of five hundred acres, unimproved land, belonging to Hunter, south, 
of the Raritan, he had refused twelve hundred pounds.' "' 



20 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

to tlie Diitcli custom, and located along the public road, 
wbicli tliey called, after their former home, Albany 
street. Among these settlers we find the names of 
Dirclv Schuyler, Hendrich Van Deursen, Dirck Van 
Veghten, Abraham Schuyler, John Ten Brock, Nicholas 
Van Dyke, and Dirck Van Aleu. These were men of 
considerable property and enterprise, and their arrival 
gave a fresh impulse to trade. The city was now a 
p-rowing town of much activity. The principal streets 
were Burnet, Water, and Albany, Avith perhaps a few 
buildings on Church street. The inhabitants lived 
along the river as far south as Sonman's Hill, extending 
north for about one mile, or a short distance above the 
ferry. A few of the ancient buildings are still stand- 
ing, but these will soon give place to more modern 
structures, and every relic of the olden time will have 
passed away. The old house recently standing in Bur- 
net street, near Lyle's brook, known as the projierty of 
Dr. Lewis Dunham, was built by Hendrick Van Deur- 
sen, one of the Albany settlers, who owned several 
acres of land in the vicinity.^"' John Van Nuise, of 
Flatlancls, L. I.,f bought a farm of one hundred acres 
of Enoch Freland, April 28th, 1727, having its front on 
Neilson street, its northern line along Liberty street, its 
southern along New street, extending west as far as the 
Mile Run. For this property, in connection with five 
acres of " salt meadow at the mouth of South river," 

* He was oflfered about forty acres of land lying below Morris street, and 
having George street for its'western, and the rear of the lots on Burnet 
street for its eastern boundary, for $250. Judge Morris owned a large farm 
on both sides of Commercial avenue. Abeel and Hassert owned twenty 
or thirty acres above Van Deursen's. 

t The ancestor of the Van Nuisc family in this country is Aucke Jansen 
Van Nuysc, M'ho, with his wife, Magdalen Pietersc, and children, emigrated 
from Holland in 1051, and settled" in New-York. His place of birth is 
supi)Osed to have been Nuise in Groningen, hence the surname Van Nuise. 
He was a carpenter by trade, and built the first church of Midwout, (novr 
Flatbush,) completed in IGGO. — Bergen Family, p. 157. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 21 

lie paid tlie sum of £800.'"' In tlie summer of that 
year lie erected a large farm-liouse on what is now 
Neilson street, between Schureman and Liberty, and 
surrounded it with suitable out-buildings. This house 
was used as the headquarters of the Hessian commander 
during the occupation of this town by the British 
army in the Revolutionary War, and is still remem- 
bered by nearly every middle-aged man. Some of our 
citizens will remember the Aj)pleby House, a stone edi- 
fice with gable roof and broad hall, on the corner of 
Church and Peace streets, now Van Pelt's drug-store ; 
the Gibbs House, an antique stone mansion built by 
Hendrick Voorhees, standinsj between Burnet street and 
the river, near Miller's brook, crossing the street below 
Town lane ; the French property in George street in 
front of the hotel near the depot ; and the large apple 
orchard on the hill, where now stand the buildings of 
Rutgers College. Perhaps a few may remember the 
old barracks standing in the rear of our j^resent par- 
sonage on George street, which were burned in the 
year I'TO^f 

We shall have occasion to call up some reminiscences 
of the past, and will leave this rapid sketch of the 
city, while we j^roceed in our narrative of the church 
proper, to which we now turn our attention. 

There was throuo:hout this section, as in all new 
settlements, great destitution of religious j^rivileges. 
The inhabitants, in writing back to their friends, urged 



''■' He was bounded by lands owned by Gose Vandenbergh, Court Voor- 
hees, Roelef Voorhees, Laurence AVilliamses, Stephen Philips, and Siba, 
Mart and Cornelius Solems. — Deed in j'losscssion of Mrs. James Van Nuise. 

t The well in Spring alley is still known as the Barrack Spring. After 
the destruction of the building, the stones were employed in the construc- 
tion of the " old jail " in Bayard street ; and the same stones now form a 
part of the foundation of the public school occupying the same ground. — 
Lr. Davidson's Historical Sketch. 



22 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

tliem to encourage ministers to come and settle among 
tbem, holding out the inducement of a large field to 
occupy, and of the ability of the people to give them a 
competent supj)ort. The principal town in the county 
of Middlesex was Woodbridge, which obtained a char- 
ter June 1st, 1669, and deeds of land were gi^anted that 
and the following years to about forty families who 
had emigrated from New-England. They were mostly 
from the parish of Rev. John Woodbridge, of New- 
bery, Mass., after whom they named their town. Ef- 
forts were made immediately to settle a pastor, but 
without success until eleven years after, when Kev. 
John Allen settled among them to the great joy of the 
people. This was the first religious organization and 
first minister in our county. '''' 

As ministers of our denomination were obtained 
only from Holland, our churches experienced even 
greater difficulties in procuring 2:)astors than other or- 
ganizations, and only succeeded after long delays and 
frequent correspondence with the Classis of Amsterdam. 
But our Dutch ancestors could not long remain without 
the privileges of the Church. And although a pastor 
was not obtained until many years afterward, yet these 
early settlers had their house of worship, in which they 
statedly met to hear the Scriptures read by the Voor- 
leezer^ and where the Lord's Supper was administered 
perhaps not oftener than once a year. 

The first buildino; erected within the bounds of our 
congregation for religious purj)Oses, was about one mile 
and a half beyond the limits of the present corporation 
of New-Brunswick, on the lot at the east of the burying- 
ground, near the residence of Abraham J.Yoorhees. Our 

* A small church building was erected in 1G74, the first in our county, 
thirty feet square. — Whitehead's Ainboy, p. 382. 



IIISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 23 

knowledge of tliYt, organization is quite limited, and de- 
rived mostly from tlie traditions in the neigliborliood- 
Tliere are no records of Consistory known to be in exist- 
ence, and no 'allusions to it in ancient deeds and con- 
veyances. The remnants of its foundation were still 
remaining within the recollection* of a few who are yet 
living, and it is described as a building quite moderate 
in its dimensions, exceedingly plain in its construction, 
and never completed. The date of its organization is 
not known, nor has the name of the minister who officia- 
ted on the occasion been transmitted to us. There is in 
existence a subscrij^tion paper, recently discovered, bear- 
ing the date of 1703, on which the sum of £10 16s. Gd. 
is provided to defray the expenses of a minister of the 
Dutch Reformed Church, to be procured from Holland.* 
This church may have existed some years before tliat 
j)eriod, and was probably the first religious organization 
along the Raritan ; for the great highway following the 
Indian path, as it is called in ancient deeds, from Inians's 
Ferry to the falls of the Delaware, was the first point 
occupied by the Dutch settlers in this section of the 
State. The families represented in this list resided on 
both banks of the Raritan, from near Boundbrook to 
New-Brunswick, and along the route of travel to Rocky 
Hill. 

This congregation was known as the church of Three 
Mile Run. Its prominent elders seem to have been 
Frederick Van Liew and Hendrick Vroom. The build- 



* The names of the following persons are attached to the subscription : 
DolUus Hageman, Tennis Quiclv, Ilend. Emens, Tlios. Cort, Jac. Probasco, 
Neclas AVyckofF, Mic. L. Moor, John Schedemeun, Nee. Van Dyke, John 
Van Houten, Wil. Bennet, Foikert Van Nostrand, Jac. Bennet, Hend. Fanger, 
Ab. Bennet, Cor. Peterson, Philip Folkerson, — avi. L. Draver, George Ander- 
son, Stobel Probasco, Isaac Le Prierc, Simon Van Wicklen, Cobas Benat, 
Garret Cotman, Lucas Covert, Brogun Covert, Wil. Van Duyn, Dennis Van 
Duyn, John Folkerson, Jost Banat. — Eon. Ealpli Voorhees, MUhUebush. 



24 HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

ing stood for upward of fifty years, and was used for 
neighborhood services long after the project of making 
it a separate congregation had been abandoned. This 
church never enjoyed the services of a settled pastor, 
although two efibrts are known to have been made to 
procure one from HoTland. The first attempt in 1703, 
already referred to; the second in 1729, when a more 
extensive plan was formed to revive the church and 
build up a second congregation within our bounds. 

In the mean time, the town around Inians's Ferry had 
grown into considerable importance, and, as it was the 
centre of trafiic and commerce for all this region of 
country, it was soon felt that there was a demand for 
church accommodations in this place. Accordingly, 
instead of completing their building at Three Mile Run, 
with great prudence they removed to tliis locality, and 
erected an edifice of larger dimensions for the accommo- 
dation of this increasing population. This was the first 
religious organization in the town, and owes its existence 
to the enterprise and foresight of that portion of the 
original congregation residing at this j)oint, and occupy- 
ing farms along the Raritan river. The building was 
erected, according to an early map of the city, " previous 
to the year 1717, but how long before is not known." 
There are reasons for believino; that it was built as 
early as the year 1714, at which time the j^lace was be- 
ginning to assume some importance, and gave promise 
of considerable activity. It stood on the corner of Bur- 
net and Schureman, then called Dutch Church street, 
and at that date it was called the church of the " River 
and Lawrence Brook." The building fronted the river, 
and occupied the corner lot, subsequently and for many 
years in the possession of Dr. William Van Deursen. 
The structure was of "Ivood, and, like most of the early 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 25 

churclies, its breadtli was greater than its depth. Its 
dimensions, according to a plan in tlie volume of records 
previously referred to, was fifty feet broad and forty feet 
deep. Tliere were seven pews on eacli side of the pul- 
pit, and eight along the middle aisle. The total number 
of pews in the building was fifty, and the church accom- 
modations was three hundred. It was not completed 
until several years afterward, and stood upward of fifty 
years, giving place in 1767 to our second church edifice, 
erected on the site of the one Ave now occupy. 

The project of forming a church in this town did not 
proceed without some opposition. The old congrega- 
tion at Three Mile Run were reluctant to part with 
any of their numbers, and those families living still 
further back in Franklin township urged the impor- 
tance of all continuing in one organization. Several 
meetings of the church seem to have been held, and the 
matter discussed; and on the 12th day of April, 1717, 
" in order to 2;)revent disturbance and contention, and 
thereby to establish peace in the church," the following 
plan was harmoniously adopted: "That the church 
built near Abraham Bennet shall be considered as 
belonging to the church of Lawrence Brook and on 
the River; and that the members of the congregation 
residino; in the nei<2;hborhood of Six and Ten Mile Run 
shall also build a church for themselves at either of 
these places, or at some point intervening, as they may 
agree." It was also determined that the church at this 
place and at Three Mile Run should each have a con- 
sistory, who should cooj)erate with each other; and, 
'' notwithstanding these two places of worship, the two 
congregations shall form one church; and in matters 
of great importance the two consistories shall meet as 
one body, and transact such business as may come 



26 HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

"before tliem for tlie establisliment of the Christian 
church." The arrangement was not intended to be 
permanent, and seems to have been entered into out of 
respect to the older members of the church, who could 
not but feel an attachment to the first house of worship 
and the original organization. In a very short time 
this relation probably ceased, and all the services were 
held in the church of New-Brunswick. 

In the old book of records, from which the above 
facts are taken, there is a decision that Koelef Seebring 
be the elder for the new congregation, and Hendrick 
Bries and Roelef Lucas the deacons. This number 
was soon after increased to three elders and three 
deacons, and the names of the following persons are 
recorded as constituting the first full Board of Con- 
sistory: Aart Aartsen, Izack Van Dyk, Roelef See- 
bring, elders ; Johannes Folkersen, Hendrick Bries, and 
Roelef Lucas, (Van Voorhees,) deacons. Thus was 
organized the Reformed Dutch Church of New-Bruns- 
wick, one hundred and fifty years ago."''* There is also 
a decision in the same minutes that Pieter Kinner be 
appointed elder, and Elbert Stoothof, deacon, for that 
part of the congregation at Six Mile Run. We have a 
complete list of the original membership) of the church, 
numbering seventy-three j^ersons, and it is pleasant to 
notice how many of their descendants are still found 
amono; our conOTesation. 

Our register of baptisms begins on the 14th of Au- 
gust, when three children were baptized : Elizabeth, 

* As this church is a continuation of the Three Mile Run congregation, 
which had an existence as early as 1703, there is a propriety in the state- 
ments made in public documents, that we trace our origin as a religious 
society to near the commencement of the last century, although we did not 
have a distinct organization until April 12th, 1717. The Consistory was 
sometimes ordained at Three Mile Run ; at least, this is known to have been 
the case in one or two instances. 



HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 27 

dangliter of Jolmnnes Stoothof; Cornelius, son of Mar- 
tin Salem; and Jan, son of Jacobus Ouke. During the 
tliree years of vacancy twenty-nine baptisms are re- 
corded, but who occupied the pulpit during this period 
we have no information. 

We know that Rev. Bernardus Freeman, of Long 
Island, took a deep interest in this church, and through 
him early efforts were made to obtain a minister from 
Holland, in connection with three other churches al- 
ready organized, namely, Karitan,'"^ Six Mile Kun, and 
North-Branch, now Readington. 

As the result of this combined movement, there came 
to this country, commissioned by the Classis of Am- 
sterdam as the first pastor of this church, January 1st, 
1720, 

EEV. THEODOEUS JACOBUS FEELINGHUTSEN. 

His ■ name is one of the most honorable in the State 
of New-Jersey, and the influence that he exerted 
among the early churches has given to this whole re- 
gion the name of the " Garden of the Dutch Church." 
The field of his pastoral charge was very extensive, 
embracing all the churches in Somerset and Middlesex 
counties. Very little information in reference to this 
pioneer of the gospel ministry in this section has been 
transmitted to us, which is the more surprising from 
the fact that his descendtints have always lived in this 
vicinity, and have exerted a great influence in the poli- 
tical and educational interests of the State. Short 
biographical sketches have been published at different 
times, giving the few items of history which have been 

'•^ The church of Raritan was organized March 9th, 1699. Their first 
house of vA'orship was not erected until about the year 1730. The Read- 
ington church (then called North-Branch) was organized in 1719. 



28 HISTOEICAL DISCOUESE. 

gathered from tlie personal allusions in the sermons 
whicli lie printed during Ills ministry, and from the 
traditional knowledo-e of the inhabitants coverino^ his 
extensive pastoral charge. To Dr. Abraham Messeler 
and Rev. William Demarest tlie church is indebted for 
the valuable information which has been preserved of 
this most remarkable man. 

The residence of Dominie Frelinghuysen was within 
the bounds of this congregation, his grave is with us 
to this day, and as this was the centre of his cliarge, 
his history properly belongs to the sketch we are 
giving. 

He was born in the year 1691, at Lingen, in East- 
Friesland, now a province in the kingdom of Hanover, 
and was educated at his native place under the instruc- 
tion of Rev. Otto Verbrugge, Professor of Theology 
and Oriental Literature. He was ordained to the min- 
istry by Rev. Johannes Brunius at the age of twenty- 
six, and for about two years was the pastor of a church 
at Embden in his native country. While thus engaged 
he received the call from the churches in New-Jersey 
to labor in this destitute field. The circumstance of 
his selection by the Ciassis of Amsterdam for this im- 
portant mission, as related by Dr. Thomas De Witt, in- 
dicates the hand of God in the gift of the first minister 
of this church. A pious elder entertained a young 
traveler, on his way through the town to Embden to 
assume the charge of an academy in that place. Dur- 
ing the evening he was so well j^leased with the spirit- 
uality of his conversation, and his eminent gifts, 
especially in prayer during family devotions, that he 
immediately informed his pastor, Sicco Tjadde, that he 
had " found a man to go to America." In answer to 
this call he made liis arrano-ements to emio-rate to this 



HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 29 

country, and arrived in tlie city of New- York about the 
1st of January, 1720, and on tlie 17tli of that month he 
occupied the pulpit of Dominie Boel, immediately after 
which he came to New-Brunswick and commenced his 
pastoral work. 

He brought with him from Holland, according to 
the custom of the church, a school-master, holding also 
the position of chorister and " Voorleeser," Jacobus 
Schureraan by name, the ancestor of this family in our 
State. He was a well-educated gentleman, and noted 
for his piety. He had the gift of poetr}^, and wrote seve- 
ral pieces which are said to have displayed considerable 
genius as well as literary taste and cultivation. They 
were spoken of about fifty years ago as doing "honor 
to his memoiy." None of them are known to have 
been translated into the English language, and with 
the disuse of the Dutch they have jDrobably long since 
perished. There is a tradition that he used this gift in 
a very effectual way against the enemies of Mr. Fre- 
linghuysen, w^ho commenced very early working their 
mischievous arts, in consequence of which he incurred 
their great displeasure. He was a warm friend of the 
Dominie, supporting him in all his plans ; in conse- 
quence of wliich there sprang up between them an inti- 
macy which awakened some opposition on the j^art of the 
people, who complained of the influence wliich he exert- 
ed over the minister. They were both unmarried, and 
resided in the family of Hendrik Reyniersz, in the neigh- 
borhood' of Three Mile Run. He had been promised 
in his call five acres of land, which was increased to 
fifty acres on his arrival, with the use of a parsonage. 
Quite early in his ministry he was married to Eva Ter- 
liune, of Long Island, after which he resided at or near 
the residence of the late John Brunson. About the 



80 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

same time Scliureman became Lis brother-in-law by 
marrying tlie sister of his wife, Autje Terhune, and re- 
sided near the farm which is known as the Schureman 
proi^erty. 

At the time when Mr. Frelinghuysen commenced his 
ministry, the churches under his care were in a most 
dej^lorable state. They had been entirely destitute of 
the stated ministry of the Gospel since the first settle- 
ment of the country ; and although church organiza- 
tions existed and houses of worship had been erected, 
yet, aatihe natural result of the absence of pastoral su- 
pervision, there must have been a great departure from 
serious and vital piety. Indeed, this was the charac- 
teristic of the times, and was the j)revailing mark 
among all the churches. When we consider that, fdr a 
period of at least thirty years, the early settlers in this 
section of the State had only enjoyed such services as 
could be rendered by neighboring ministers, we are 
surprised that there should be such a respect for the 
ordinances of God's house, as we have indicated by the 
regular administration of the sacraments, and the in- 
crease of membership to the church. 

The physical aspect of the country very much resem- 
bled the morals of the peoj)le. It was wild and uncul- 
tivated. Dense forests surrounded New-Brunswick ; 
the streams were unbriclged; the settlements Avere 
widely scattered ; the roads, with the excejDtion of the 
main thoroughfare from New- York to Philadelphia, 
were little more than paths through the wilderness ; 
and it had all the appearance of a new country. 

This was the state of things when Dominie Freling- 
huysen came here in 1720. But he was a man equal 
to the times, of great energy of character, of large 
attainments in knowledge and grace, and with a certain 



HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 31 

fearlessness of spirit that enabled liim to go immedi- 
ately at the hearts of the people. From the sermons 
which have been j)i'eserved, we gather that he was a 
warm, earnest preacher, dwelling principally upon the 
necessity of the new birth, and having a dreadful an- 
tij)athy to all manner of formalism. He j^reached the 
doctrines of grace with so much spirituality and direct- 
ness that the people, who had never had their ho]3es 
questioned, began almost immediately to raise against 
him a loud opposition. He was charged by his enemies 
with j)reachiug doctrines contrary to the standards of 
the Church, and subversive to the whole spirit of the 
Gospel. When he insisted on the necessity of experi- 
mental evidences as a qualification for the Lord's 
Supper, he is represented as introducing customs con- 
trary to the principles of the Reformed Church. A 
very elaborate pamphlet was published by his enemies 
in the year 1723, setting forth their grievances, and 
making an appeal to public opinion against the course 
he was pursuing. The complaint is issued under the 
sanction of Simon Wyckoff, a deacon of the church of 
Six Mile Kun, Peter Dumont, an elder at Raritan, and 
Hendrick Vroom, a former deacon at Three Mile Run. 
In addition to these names, the signatures of sixty-four 
heads of families are appended, from all the congrega- 
tions to which he ministered, with the exception of New- 
Brunswick. The controversy seems to have been quite 
bitter, and was continued several years. Indeed, it 
seems to have disturbed the peace of the church in some 
portions of his field during his entire ministry. Mr. 
Frelinghuysen states in one of his sermons, that the 
violence of the opposition to him had been so great that 
on one occasion the door of the church was shut a2:ainst 
him, and he was not permitted to administer the ordi- 



32 HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 

nances. As late as tlie year 1729, a party existed of 
sufficient strength to make an attempt to bring over 
from Holland a pastor more after tlieir own mincl. A 
paper"' was accordingly circulated with an idea of 
gathering together all the malcontentsf in the old 
church at Three Mile Run, which is represented to be 
in a somewhat dilapidated condition, and, if the enter- 
prise succeeded, they were to repair the old edifice or 
build a new one in the vicinity of John Pittenger. But 
the plan failed, and the scheme was abandoned. The 
church at New-Brunswick did not join in this contro- 
versy with their pastor, but, so far as documentary and 
traditional evidence goes, zealously su23ported him, and 
the result was witnessed in the great prosperity which 
this church enjoyed. 

Dominie Frelinghuysen met all this opposition in the 
spirit of a true gospel minister. He continued at his 
post, preaching, visiting, and catechising, laboring for 
the conversion of souls and the edification of the church. 
"I had rather die a thousand deaths," he says in one 
of his sermons, ''than not preach the Gospel." And 
his ministry was eminently successful. Sound in his 
doctrinal views, searching in his reproofs, and fervent 

* The subscribers ^yere : A. Boorani, Simon Wj'ckoff, Dennis Van Duyn, 
Leonard Smock, Cor. Peterson, George Anderson, William Van Duyn, 
Jac. Boise, Hen. Smock, Chris. Probasco, William Kouenhoven, Jac. Ben- 
net, Pet. Bodine, Gid. Marlat, William Bennet, Paul Le Boyton, Francis 
IlaiTison, Ab. Bennet, Isaac La Queer, Jac. Bennet, Nic. Dailey, Ad. 
Ilardenbrook, Luke Covert, and Jac. Probasco. The committee to procure 
a minister was Hendrik Vroom and Frederick Van Liew. This subscrip- 
tion paper, as also that of 1703, were found at Mr. Abraham J. Voorhees, 
at Three Mile Run, and are now in the possession of Hon. Balph Voorhees ; 
they had been preserved in the Van Liew family, and are all that we have 
of the old church. 

t Rev. Vicentius Antonides, from Long Island, encouraged the disaf- 
fected party, and as late as May 9th, 1734, he ordained a Consistory for 
the Three Mile Run church, composed of Simon Wyckoff and Hendrick 
Vroom, elders; Simon Van Wicklen and Dennis Van Duyn, deacons ; also 
for North-Branch, Daniel Sebring and Peter Kinney, elders ; and William 
Rosse and Francis AValdron, deacons. — Records Harlingen Consistory. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 33 

in his appeals, lie won many souls to Christ, and laid 
foundations which have not yet passed away. Through- 
out his whole field of labor, he enjoyed as the fruit of 
his ministry several revivals of religion. At Raritan, 
he was eminently successful in the ingathering of the 
people and the establishment of the church. Our own 
records are incomplete, but the evidence of our history 
is, that he was instrumental in s-atherino; toQ-ether a 
large congregation. 

About six years after Mr. Frelinghuysen's settlement 
in Ne^\--Brimswick, namely, in 1*726, Rev. Gilbert Ten- 
nent arrived in this place, and was installed the first pas- 
tor of the Presbyterian church. He remained in this 
city about seventeen years, and was regarded as a man of 
very eminent abilities, es^^ecially distinguished for his 
pulpit talents. The first church edifice of this denomi- 
nation was erected in lYSY, and stood on the same 
street with the Dutch church below Lyle's brook, on 
the ground novv^ occupied by houses No. 142 and 144 
Burnet street. Mr. Tennent's residence was at No. 168 
of the same street, since taken down, in which his 
brother William had the remarkable trance, on his 
recovery from which it ^vas found that he liad lost all 
recollection of previous events, and even had forgotten 
the name of the Bible. 

These two ]Srew-Bruns\7ick pastors lived on terms of 
great friendship, and indeed of intimacy. They found 
in each other congenial dispositions ; and, judging from 
their published discourses, they were men of similar 
characteristics. They were both earnest and forcible in 
delivery, and pungent in their application of the truth. 
In a* letter of Mr. Tennent to Rev. Mr, Prince, a histo- 
rian of Boston, in 1744, one year after he had left this 
city, he gives this testimony : " The labors of Rev. Mr. 

3 



34: HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

Frelingliuysen, a Dutch Calvinist minister, were mucli 
blessed to tlie people of New-Brunswick and places 
adjacent, especially about the time of his coming among 
them, which was about twenty-four years ago. When 
I came there, which was about seven years after, I had 
the pleasure of seeing much of the fruits of his minis- 
try; divers of his hearers with whom I had the oj^por- 
tunity of conversing appeared to be converted persons, 
by their soundness in principle, Christian experience, 
and pious practice ; and these persons declared that the 
ministrations of the aforesaid gentleman were the means 
thereof This, together with a kind letter which he 
sent me, resj)ecting the dividing the word aright, and 
giving to every man his portion in due season, through 
the divine blessing excited me to greater earnestness in 
ministerial labors." 

The eminent evangelist, George Whitefield, paid fre- 
quent visits to this city, and preached to large congre- 
gations gathered from this whole section of country. 
He frequently speaks of New-Brunswick, in his journal, 
and of the pleasure he enjoyed in the society of Mr. 
Frelinghuysen. He is very earnest in his praise, and 
represents him as a sound, fearless, and highly success- 
ful minister. Mr. Whitefield, under date of November 
20th, 1739, writes in his journal: "Preached about 
noon, for near two hours, in Mr. Tennent's meeting- 
house, to a large assembly gathered from all parts." On 
the 26th of April, 1740, he again passed through New- 
Brunswick, reaching the town about four in the after- 
noon, " and preached to about two thousand," he writes, 
" in the evening." " The next day," he adds, " preached 
morning and evening to near seven or eight thousand 
people ; and God's power was so much amongst us in 
the afternoon service, that, had I proceeded, the cries 



HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 35 

and groans of the people, I believe, would have drowned 
my voice." It was upon this occasion, according to the 
statement of Eev. Dr. Cannon, received from persons 
who were present, that Mr. Whiteiield preached in front 
of tlie Dutch church, in Burnet street, standing on a 
v/agon, and the immense audience were spread over a 
meadow sloping down to the river, listening to the 
sermon. 

Dominie Frelinghuysen was a member of the conven- 
tion which met in the city of New- York in April, 1738, 
with the elder from this church, Hendrick Fisher, who 
formed a plan to establish an ecclesiastical judicatory, 
with more enlarged powers than had been enjoyed by 
the Reformed Dutch Church in this countiy, out of 
which grew the great conflict in reference to the sepa- 
L'ation from the Classis of Amsterdam. Althoug-h he 
:lid not live to take a very active part in this contro- 
versy, yet, as he was one of the originators of the move- 
ment, and as it continued to asritate the church for 
ibout thirty years, even threatening its very existence, 
1 brief sketch of the two principles in conflict will here 
be necessary as a link in the chain of history. 

Our church, in this country, was not an independent 
Drganization, but merely a branch of the Reformed 
Church of Holland, and subject to its jurisdiction. 
Cases of disci j)line had to be referred for decision to 
the old country. Candidates who desired to preacli 
the Gospel were obliged to cross the ocean in order to 
obtain ordination ; and only such ministers as had been 
examined and commissioned by the Classis of Amster- 
lam were permitted to preach in our pulpits. The 
result was long and vexatious delays in procuring pas- 
tors, great inconvenience in obtaining the decision of 
the supreme judicatory, and an outlay of time and ex- 



36 niSTOPJCAL DISCOUESE. 

pense wliicli greatly retarded the growth of our cluircL. 
In this year (1738) a plan was matured to form a 
" C;oetus," or an assembly of ministers and elders, who 
should exercise jurisdiction over the churches in this 
country, subject to the supervision of the Synod of 
North-Holland. 

This was the entering- wedge of separation, and in a 
short time grew into a demand for an independent 
Classis, with all the j^owers belonging to the highest 
ecclesiastical court. But this innovation was most 
strenuously resisted. The church in Europe opposed 
the measure as subversive of authority, and some of the 
older ministers, with their elders, formed an assembly 
opposed to the Coetus, to which they gave the name of 
" Conferentie." This w\as the commencement of a strife 
which has hardly been surpassed in the history of eccle- 
siastical disputes, and was not finally adjusted until Dr. 
John 11. Livingston matured a plan of union in 1772, 
which met the cordial approbation of all who sought 
the peace of Zion. 

Mr. Frelinghuysen exerted a great influence in con- 
nection with this most important measure. Indeed, he 
was a thorough representative of the Coetus party, 
while the early controversies through which he had 
passed prepared him to be a leader on the side of re- 
form. He was evangelical in his sentiments and pro- 
gressive in his spirit, and he saw that the interests of 
the church demanded an independent organization, with 
all the facilities of school, college, and seminary to pro- 
vide a well-educated ministry. Although he did not 
live to see this result, yet he is justly honored as one 
of the originators of a system which at first greatly 
agitated but finally prevailed to the establishment and 
enlargement of the church. There were a few in this 



HISTOEICAL DISCOUESE. 87 

congregation who sympathized with the Conferentie 
party, but they never attained any considerable 
strength, though in other parts of the old charge of Mr. 
Frelinghuysen the strife was carried on with a violence 
which it is almost impossible for us to understand.'^^' 

The Dutch population in the town of New-Bruns- 
wick received quite an accession between the years 
1730 and 1734, by the emigration of several families 
from Albany, previously referred to in our narrative. 
Their ancestors had removed to that place immediately 
from Holland, and their names are found on the regis- 
ter of church-members as early as 1683. They are uni- 
formly represented to have been an intelligent and 
pious class of people, who added very greatly to the 
streno'th of the church. Families also continued to arrive 
from Long Island, and settled on the farms along the 
Kai'itan, both above and below New-Brunswick, and 
on both sides of the river. From these causes and the 
increasing prosperity of the congregation, the comple- 
tion and enlaro-ement of the church edifice was de- 
manded, and in 1735 we find that the object was ac- 
complished under the direction of a committee of 
which Dirck Schuyler was chairman. The amount 
expended in reseating the church was about £200. 

* Ilarlingen especially seems to have been an important point in the 
Coetus and Conferentie difficulties. The original house of worship at the 
cemetery and the church records fell into the hands of the Conferentie. 
The Coetus paity, therefore, who could not be limited and restrained by 
the formalities of the other, erected a new church in 1749 near the present 
site, and kept a distinct record of their own. Botii records have come down 
to the present time. On ]\Iay 9th, 1734, Dominie Antonides met some 
Conferentie friends at the house of RynerVeghte, and ordained a new Con- 
sistoiy, in opposition to Frelinghuyscn's Consistory, namelj'^, Koert Voorhees 
and l)aniel Polhemus, elders. This new Consistory secured possession of 
the chm-cli-books, and hence Frelinghuysen was obliged to begin a new 
book of I'ccords in 1737. In this is noted the arrival of his son John in 
1750, wlio preached his first sermon in that locality, August 19th of that 
year, in the house of Simon Van Arsdalcn. Ilis first sermon was preached 
In the church December 2d. — Eev. E. T. Corwin. 



38 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 

At this date tlie pews were sold under an article of 
agreement to which the signatures of the heads of 
families are affixed. We have a jDlan of the building 
thus remodeled, a complete list of the families in the 
congregation," and the original disposition of the pews. 

Among the names I find recorded that of James 
Hude,f one of the prominent citizens of New-Brunswick, 
and held in very high esteem. His father was a Scotch 
Presbyterian, and fled from the religious oppressions of 
the Old World to enjoy the freedom promised in the 
New. Mr. Hude filled all the civil offices in the city, 
and spent most of his life in the service of the govern- 
ment. He was one of the judges of the pleas for 
eleven years, a member of assembly in 1738, one of the 
council of Governor Morris, and for several terms 
mayor of the city. He was a man of great benevo- 
lence, and on his death, November 1st, 1762, the New- 
York Mercury^ in an obituary notice, speaks of him as 
a "gentleman of great probity, justice, affability, moral 
and. j)olitical virtues." His residence was in Albany 
street, in the house known as the Bell tavern, the origi- 
nal part of which is one of the oldest buildings in the 
town. Thouo;h he does not seem to have been a com- 
municant in the church, yet I find his name on the list 
of families in the con2:ref>;ation, and his children were 
all baptized by Mr. Frelinghuysen, and appear on our 
register. 

On the same list I find also the name of Philip 
French, who came into possession of Inians's patent, 
and was a man of great liberality and distinction. 
One of the streets of our city still bears his name. 

* For a list of the heads of families at this date, see Appendix II. 

t WkitehecuVs Amhoi/, p. 374. His daughter Catherine married Corne- 
lius Lowe, and a daughter of theirs married a son of Rev. Mr. Hardenbergh, 
the lion. J. R. Hardenbergh. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 89 

Tlie name of Jacob Ouke is found on tlie catalogue, 
one of the orio-inal members of the con2:re2:ation, a 
prominent elder in the church ; at several times a 
mayor of the city, and holding an office which had 
been created by Mr. Frelinghuysen to meet the grow- 
ing demands of his large charge. In addition to these 
[lames, there were others who shone with equal emi- 
nence, the Schuylers, the Van Deursens, the Van Der- 
belts, the Van Voorhees, the Schencks, and the Van 
Elarlingens. The list embraces the names of about one 
hundred heads of families, showing that at this date 
(1735) there was here a large congregation built up 
Luider the ministry of Mr. Frelinghuysen. 

Perhaps no name is more prominent in our early 
records than that of the distinguished Elder Minne 
Van Voorhees, one of the ancestors of the large family 
3f this name in this section of the State. He came to 
bins vicinity from Long Island about the year 1715, 
ind two years after, on the organization of this church, 
we find his name on our list of communicants. He re- 
dded at first on the property now known as the Col- 
lege farm, and was the proprietor of a large tract of 
[and in that vicinity, including the mills below the 
'Atj ; subsequently he removed to New-Brunswick, and 
resided here until his death, which must have occurred 
ibout the year 1734. He was a man of great prorai- 
tience in the church, elected to the office of elder when 
quite a young man, and a ruling spirit in the congrega- 
tion. In the controversies which Mr. Frelinghuysen 
sustained in the early part of his ministry, he found in 
Minne Van Voorhees a staunch and intelligent sup- 
porter. From the fact of his cooperation with his pas- 
tor, the inference is natural that he was of a kindred 
spirit. Tradition reports him to have been very gifted 



40 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

in prayer and exhortation. His memory was so reten- 
tive that he was able to rej)eat nearly the entire ser- 
mon after hearing it preached. When Mr. Frelinghuy- 
sen was exhausted with his excessive labors, he ^vould 
frequently call upon Minne to take the evening lecture 
in one of the neighborhoods, and he would conduct the 
services with great edification. His name was very 
precious in the church for several generations, and he 
has left behind him even unto this day a savor of great 
piety. His descendants were connected with some of 
the most distinguished families of the city, the Pools, 
Neil sons, Abeels, Bennets, Schuylers, Van Deursens, 
and Hasserts.'^' 

In order to meet the growing wants of his extensive 
charge, Mr. Frelinghuysen resorted to various expedi- 
ents. The 2:>lan of a colleague was discussed at a joint 
meeting of the four Consistories, held at Raritan in 
1737, and finally adopted. An address is sent to that 
Reverend Father in God Schuyhenburg and Jan Stock- 
ers to send over from Holland a young man, who should 
act as an assistant to the minister. The call is prepared 
by Mr. Frelinghuysen, and in his characteristic way he 
asks for a man of good health, who will be able to 
endure a large amount of labor, and a willing worker ; 
but above all, for one who shall be filled with the love 
of Christ and God's kingdom. He is to j^reach under 

'■' The ancestor of the family of Voorhees in this section of country is 
Steven Coerte, or Koers, who emigrated from Holland in 1660, on the ship 
Bontekoe, (Spotted Cow,) and settled in Flatlands, Long Island. Having 
no surname, they subscribed themselves " Van Voorhees," or "from before 
Hees." Stephen Coerte married Wiilempie Roelefse, and died about 1684. 
His son, Lucas Stevense, married on Long Island, and six of his children 
emigrated to New-Brunswick and vicinity, and were members of this church 
at its organization. Hans (Jan) Lucas married Neeltije Nevius; Catryntjc 
Lucas married Roelof Nevius ; Roelof Lucas married Helena Stoothof; 
Minne Lucas married Antje Wyckoff ; Wilmetje Lucas married Martin Ne- 
vius ; Albert Lucas married Catryntje Cornell. — See Genealogy of Bergen 
Fcmiily, p. 61. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 41 

tbe direction of the senior pastor, catecliise tlie children 
and youth, and 2:)erform j^'^istoral visitation. He is 
promised a parsonage with fifty acres of land, a horse 
with necessary accompaniments, and j£80 a year, one 
half of which shall be paid as soon as he shall be 
installed. This excellent arranojement did not succeed, 
the right kind of a man not being found ready to emi- 
grate to America. 

On the failure of this effort to secure an assistant. 
Dominie Frelinghuysen resorted to the expedient of 
appointing "helj^ers," after the plan of the apostles. 
(1 Cor. 12: 28.) Men who were gifted in exhortation 
and prayer, and who had commended themselves by 
their godly lives to the people, were selected under the 
sanction of the Consistory, to hold neighborhood ser- 
vices, to visit the sick, to direct the inquiring, and to 
be generally useful in the congregation. Indeed, this 
plan was matured previous to sending the call to Hol- 
land; for we find m our minutes that, in 1736, a joint 
meeting of the four Consistories was convened for 
the purpose of consulting upon the subject, and that 
appointments were actually made of such extraordinary 
ofiicers in the church. At this meetina; the followinsi: 
selection was made: For JSTorth-Branch, Symon Van 
Arsdalen; for Raritan, Hendrick Bries and Tennis 
Post; for Six MileEun, Elbert Stoothof; and for New- 
Brunswick, Hendrick Fisher, Roelef Nevius, and Abra- 
ham Ouke. The tradition is, that these men were emi- 
nently useful ; and while the measure was a novelty in 
the Dutch Church, and, so far as we have learned, was 
confined only to the pastoral charge of Mr. Frelinghuy- 
sen, yet it was eminently successful, and tended greatly 
to the prosperity of the church. These men held the 



42 HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 

office during life, and one of them, as we shall pre- 
sently see, became a lay preacher and catecliist. 

On examining the records of our church, I find that 
there Avas received into its membership, during Mr. 
Frelinghuysen's ministjy, about sixty persons. Many 
names are undoubtedly omitted from the list, as some 
are not found on the catalogue who are known to have 
been in communion with the church. The largest 
number received in any one year was in 1741, when 
there was the addition of twenty-two persons, a most 
cheering evidence of the divine favor, and a great 
encourao-ement to that noble minister who had now 
triumphed over all opposition, and whose work was 
thus crowned with God's approbation. Although the 
whole number does not seem to be large, yet it is a fair 
representation of growth, considering the sparseness of 
the population, the agitations of the times, and the fact 
that he received into the communion only those who 
gave the clearest evidence of conversion. 

Concerning the events that transpired during the 
latter part of Mr. Frelinghuysen's life, no record has 
been preserved, nor is the time of his death or the place 
of his burial definitely known. In the summer of 1744, 
he bought of Daniel Plendrickson, of this city, a farm 
of 200 acres, for which he paid J6550. This property 
is located at Three Mile Run,* and is a part of the land 
occupied by the late John Brunson. Here he built a 
spacious house, a part of the foundation of which was 

* It is described as being bounded on the south-east by the land of 
Daniel Hendrickson, north-east by the "pretended line of the heirs or 
assigns of Peter Sonmans," north-west by David Sequire, south-west and 
north-west by Cornelius Bennet. — Trenton Deeds. 

He lived at one time in Burnet street, as I find a reference to his " resi- 
dence" in an old deed in my possession, but the precise location I have not 
ascertained. He spent his whole ministerial life within the bounds of this 
congregation, and his family made this church their religious home. 



HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 43 

used in the construction of the edifice now standing. 
At this place lie probably resided at the time of his 
death, Avliich must have occurred about the commence- 
ment of the year 1748, when he had not yet reached 
his fifty-seventh year. He is buried, according to all 
the evidence we can gather, in the old yard of the Six 
Mile Kun church, and a spot is still pointed out as his 
last resting-place."* His monument should stand in the 
ground adjoining our church, and his name should be 
preserved among the greatest lights of our Zion. The 
character of his mind is sufficiently indicated by his 
23ublished sermons ; his fidelity, by the fearlessness with 
which he preached the Gospel in its purity and 
pungency; his success, by the ingatherings which he 
enjoyed, the foundations which he laid, and the seed 
Avhich he planted; and his piety, by the savor which 
yet breathes from his memory. 

When he came to this field, he found it spiritually 
destitute and uncultivated. A church had here grown 
up in this new settlement without a pastor, and, bearing 
in mind the type of the religion of that age, we are not 
surprised that there Avas so much of the formal element 
in the churches. When he was called away, he left 
behind him a strong body of Christians, who had been 
brought into the church under a searching Gospel, and 
who gave every evidence of real godliness. That he 
was blessed by God in his work is the unqualified 

* The first house of worship of the Six Mile Run church was built in 
this yard, and remains of th _• foundation were visible until quite recently. 
The second building was erected before 1766, for in the survey of the 
county line, made at that date, it was called the "new church." The tra- 
dition is, that Mr. Frelinghuysen's grave was under a tree near the centre 
of the grdund. The aged remember that their parents pointed to the spot 
as the resting-place of a "great man." Is it not a striking fact that the 
minister who first broke ground for the Gospel in this new teiritory lies in 
an unknown grave? Let us cherish his memory, and show him honor by 
loving, as he did, the pure doctrine of the Gospel. 



4A: HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

testimony of our history; and when such eminent men 
as Gilbert Tennent, George Whitefield, and Jonathan 
Edwards speak of him as one of the great lights of the 
American church, we freely accord to him the distin- 
guished position which he occupies. To their testi- 
mony I may add that of Dr. A. Alexander, of Prince- 
ton, who says: "If you wish to find a community cha- 
racterized by an intelligent piety, a love of order, and 
all that tends to make society what it should be, seek 
it among the people of Somerset and Middlesex. And 
their present character," he adds, " is owing very much, 
under God, to the faithful preaching of the Gospel 
under old Dominie Frelinghuysen." 

The name of his wife has been recently recovered, 
but no traditions are preserved in respect to her char- 
acter. But the piety of the household is clearly indi- 
cated by the character of her children. All of her sons 
entered the ministry, and her two daughters became 
the wives of pastors in our church. We attribute this 
fact mainly to the piety and religious instruction of the 
mothei', Eva Terhune. They were baptized in this 
church, and their names appeal* upon our register. 
Theodore was settled in Albany, from 1745 to 1759. 
He is rei")resented to have been frank and popular in 
his manners, earnest and eloquent in the pulpit, and 
blameless in his life. He sailed for Holland in the 
year 1759, with the expectation of returning to his 
field of labor. The date and circumstances of his death 
are not known.* His memory was very precious in the 
church of Albany, meriting the tribute 23aid to him of 
" the apostolic and much beloved Frelinghuysen." His 

* "A letter has been found, written at New-York on the 10th of October, 
1759, which establishes the fact that he sailed on that day, and that gossip 
and predictions of a fatal voyage were rife, which led to the tradition of his 



niSTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 45 

second son, John, succeeded liis father at Raritan in 
Angust, 1750, and died very suddenly while on a visit 
to Long Island, attending a meeting of the Coetus, in 
1754. The third and fourth sons, Jacobus and Fer- 
dinand, died OR their return passage from Holland, of 
the small-pox, in 1753, and were buried at sea. They 
were promising young men, and had both received 
calls, the one at Marbletown, the other at Kinder- 
hook, N. Y. The iifth son, Hendricus, pursued his 
studies in this country, and was licensed by the Coetus, 
and in 1756 settled over the church of Wawarsing;, in 
Ulster county, N. Y. ; but in a short time he also died 
from an attack of small-pox, and was buried at Napa- 
nock. Thus rapidly did these young ministers close 
their work, just at a time when the whole church was 
needing the labors of such devoted and godly men. 
One of his daughters, Anna, was married to Rev. Wil- 
liam Jackson, who for thirty years was the pastor of 
the church in Bergen ; she died at the age of seventy- 
two, in May, 1810. And Margaret became the wife of 
Rev. Thomas Romeyn, whose only son, Theodore Fre- 
linghuysen Romeyn, was the pastor of Raritan in the 
same charo-e of his sfrandfather and uncle, whose short 
and promising ministry of only eighteen months was 
brought to a close by his sudden death at an early age, 
amid the lamentations of a bereaved j^eople. 

On the death of Mr. Frelinghuysen, the churches 
under his charo-e had so far increased in strenirth that 
they immediately resolved to settle two pastors. Rari- 
tan, North-Branch, and Millstone, now Harlingen, settled 
Rev. John Frelinghuysen, whose short uiinistry of only 

loss at sea, and which is nowhere authenticated except by the gan-ulous 
Mrs. Grant. The tradition seems to have gi'own out of the ominous break- 
ing down of the bench in the pulpit of a new church in whicli he preached 
on the Sabbath previous to his departure." — MunseV s Annals of Albany. 



46 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

four years was eminently successful. While lie was 
possessed of much of his father's bold, evangelical spirit, 
he seems to have been of a more pleasing disposition, 
although he did not have to encounter difficulties which 
disturbed the early ministry of his honored parent. He 
was much interested in the education of young men for 
the ministry ; and there is still standing in Somerville 
a house built by him of bricks brought from Holland, 
where Hardenbergh, Jackson, and others pursued their 
theological studies. Although party spirit raged very 
high in his charge, yet his ministry was remarkably 
blessed by the outj^ouring of the Spirit, and at his 
death there was great lamentation. The churches of 
New-Brunswick and Six Mile Hun, very conveniently 
located, and both of considerable strength, formed an 
ecclesiastical connection for the settlement of a minister 
who should devote himself entirely to this field. The 
choice of the people immediately fell with great una- 
nimity upon a young man who had just completed his 
'studies, and in September, 1748, there was called, as the 
second pastor of this church, 

KeV. JoiIAl^JSTES LeYDT. 

Our knowledge of Mr. Leydt is quite limited, though 
he labored in this field for thirty-five years. In respect 
to his early history, I have only been able to learn that 
he was a Hollander by birth, and was educated at one 
of her universities — which one is not certain — and that 
he came to this country with an elder brother, settling 
at first in Dutchess county, in the neighborhood of 
Fishkill. He was born in the year 1718. The time of 
his emigration to America is not known. The first 
notice we have of Mr. Leydt is in the minutes of the 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 47 

Coetus held in New- York on the 28tli of April, 1748, 
in these words : " The student Leydt, according to ap- 
pointment, delivered a proposition upon 2 Corinthians 
3 : 6-8, and gave such satisfaction that he was likewise 
received with Van Der Linde to be examined in the 
morning, after reading the church cei-tificate, from which 
it appeared that they had been communicants for some 
years." The Elder Hendrick Fisher vfas a member of 
this assembly, and presented a letter from the Consis- 
tory of New-Brunswick, "urging the speedy examination 
of the student, in order that their congregation, which 
was vacant, might emj^loy him as a candidate, and, if 
satisfied, might call him." 

As permission had been previously obtained from the 
Classis of Amsterdam, the examination was accordingly 
proceeded with, and, proving satisfactory, these two 
young men were sent forth to preach the Gospel. Sep- 
tember 27th, 1748, a formal call was laid before the 
Coetus by the Elder Hendrick Fisher; and, having 
passed his final examination, Mr. Leydt was set apart 
to the work of the ministry, and constituted the pastor 
of the churches of New-Brunswick and Six Mile Run. 
There was great joy among the people in having so 
soon obtained a successor to the excellent Dominie 
Frelinghuysen, and who, according to all accounts, was 
influenced by a similar spirit of entire consecration to 
the xainistry. I have not been able to ascertain the 
place of his church relations, nor the circumstances of 
his introduction into the ministry. It is said that he 
was a student of Mr. Frelinghuysen, and was well 
known in the city. 

The first act of the Consistories was to provide him 
a home ; accordingly, they purchased a parsonage with 
fifty acres of land. This property was located at Three 



48 HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

Mile Kun, and is known as tlie Skillman farm, now in 
tlie possession of Isaac W. Puinyea. The old house is 
still standing, a short distance from the road, in which 
Mr. Leydt lived during his entire ministry of thirty-five 
years. 

Great changes had taken place in this town and the 
surrounding country since the organization of this 
church. The land had been cleared up and cultivated, 
more substantial buildings erected, farms increased in 
value, and the morals and intelligence of the community 
greatly improved. In 1717, the Dutch church was the 
onl}' organization in the town; but in 1748 there was 
a Presbyterian church, of which Rev. Thomas Arthur 
was the minister ; and the Episcopalian church, erected 
in 1743, on a lot given by Philip French, of which Rev. 
Mr. Wood was the missionary ; and all of these congre- 
gations are represented, to have lived in a spirit of great 
harmony and Christian cooperation. 

A very interesting description of our town at this 
date, 1748, the year in which Mr. Leydt commenced his 
ministry, is given in the account of a traveler by the 
name of Peter Kalm, a professor in the University of 
Abo in Swedish Finland, who visited North- America 
as a naturalist, under the auspices of the Swedish Royal 
Academy of Science. " About noon," he writes, " we 
arrived in New-Brunswick, a pretty little town in a 
valley on the west side of the river Raritan; on ac- 
count of its low situation it can not be seen coming 
from Pennsylvania, before coming to tlie toji of the 
hill which is close up to it. The town extends north 
and south along the river. The town-house makes a 
pretty good appearance. The town has only one street 
lengthwise, and at its northern extremity there is a. 
street across ; both of these are of considerable length. 



niSTORICAL DISCOURSE. 49 

3ne of tlie streets is almost entirely inhabited by 
Dutchmen who came hither from Albany, and for that 
•eason they call it All^any street. On the road from 
Frenton to New-Brunswick, I never saw any place in 
America, the towns excepted, so well peopled."'''" 

Very shortly after his settlement, Mr. Leydt interested 
limself in procuring a charter from the royal governor 
br the churches originally embraced in the charge of 
Mr. Frelinghuysen. This instrument was obtained un- 
ler the administration of Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Gov- 
irnor-in-Chief of the Province of New- Jersey, and was 
executed on the 7th day of June, and the twenty- 
dxtli year of the reign of King Greorge II. (1758.) 
riie trustees under the charter were the two ministers, 
Rev. Johannes Leydt and Kev. John Frelinghu3''sen, 
vith the several members of the Consistories of the five 
churches. The first meeting of the new corporation 
tvas held at Raritan, October 31st, 1753, when Hen- 
Irick Fisher, one of the elders of this church, was 
chosen president of the board, and arrangements made 
:o carry out the provisions of the charter.f 

The increase of population in the town, and the 
popularity of the minister, soon called for more en- 
^aro-ed church accommodations. The old buildino; in 
Burnet street was full, and as early as 1754 the j^lan 
was ag:itated for the erection of a new and more com- 
cQodious church edifice in a more central location. An 



* In some of his statements Mr. Kalm is not accurate. In reference to 
his "two German churches, one of stone, the other of wood," it is certainly 
a mistake. The Dutch congregation had hut one building, a structure of 
wood, in Burnet street. His error is equally apparent in the remark that 
" the Presbj'terians were building a church of stone." They never had a 
stone edifice, and there was no church building going on in the town at 
this date. Tlie statements of travelers in reference to local matters, unac- 
quainted with the language of the people, and merely passing through a 
place, are to be taken with some degree of allowance. 

t See Appendix III. 

4 



60 ■ HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

article of ao;reement was entered into at tliis time for 
tlie i^urcliase of a lot on wliicli to erect a new building. 
But the subject was postponed from time to time, in 
consequence of a difference of opinion in the congrega- 
tion as to the proj^er location. One party insisted on 
remaining in Burnet street and enlarging the old edi- 
fice, and the other desired a removal into that part of 
the city which had the prospect of growth. The mat- 
ter was finally adjusted by the gift of the plot of 
ground on which our present building is erected, by 
Philip French, Esq., one of the members of the congre- 
gation. The deed of conveyance is dated September 
12th, 1765. The Consistory was then composed of 
Hendriclv Fisher, Ferdinand Schureman, and Derick 
Van Veghten, elders ; Cornelius Seebring, Ernestus 
Van Harlingen, and Jacobus Van Nuise, deacons. A 
building committee was immediately aj^pointed, of 
which John Schureman, son of the school-master, was 
the chairman, and arrangements made for the erection 
of the second church edifice of our denomination in 
the town. 

The new building was completed and occupied by 
the congregation in the autumn of 1767, one hundred 
years ago, when the old church in Burnet street was 
taken down, and the lot sold to John Schureman. The 
ground plan of this building is given in our records, 
the sale of pews, and a complete list of the congrega- 
tion at this date. The building was of stone, nearly 
square, and wonld seat comfortably four hundred per- 
sons. The cost of construction was £1097 13s. 7d. 
It had a front entrance on Queen, now Neilson street, 
and a side-door on Prince, now Bayard street. At the 
south side was a long pew for the accommodation of 
the public ofiicers of the city, and on the north similar 



historical" DISCOUESE. 51 

ews running parallel with the walls, whicli, it is said, 
^ere much sought after, " as one eye could be directed 
)ward the minister, and the other to any thing that 
light require attention in the other part of the house." 
ar off and up in a circular pulpit, supported hj a 
edestal, was the minister, beneath the old time-honored 
)unding-board. Two pillars support the roof from 
le centre, which went up on four sides, ending in a 
nail steeple. A belP* was put up about the year 
775, and the sexton, in ringing, stood in the middle 
isle, winding the rope during service around one of 
le pillars. The church was never desecrated with. 
:oves, but in the midst of winter the good Dutchmen 
ept up what heat they could by an occasional stamp 

I the Hoor, and tradition says the Dominie would keep 
^arm by an extra amount of gesture. 

The city presented a far different aj^pearance from its 
resent aspect. The streets were unpaved ; a swamp 
<:tended from. Church to New street, affording a fine 
vating-pond for the boys in winter ; there were a few 
uildings to the right of the edifice, and only an occa- 
onal house between this and Albany street. On the 
ill occupying the ground in the rear of our parsonage- 
:ood the stone barracks, a commodious building one 
undred feet in length and sixty in depth, erected in the 
ear 1758; and the farm of Jacobus Van Nuise covered 

II that ground now occuj^ied by Schureman, Liberty, 
ud New streets, extending west as far as the residence 
f Richard McDonald. This building stood for about 
)rty-five years ; and, unornamented as it was, it had 
athered around it rmusual interest. Here your fathers 



* I have been informed that the bell was taken down at some period dur- 
ig the war, and buried in the orchard where now stands liutgcrs College,, 
nd restored to its place after the enemy left the city. 



52 HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 

worshiped ; and from the old pulj^it was preached the 
true Gospel of Christ. A few are left who remember 
the edifice well ; but fifty-six years have passed since 
this venerable structure was taken down, and soon all 
recollection of it will have passed away. 

We can picture to our minds the Sabbath morning, 
one hundred years ago, when the church was completed, 
and the building was set apart for the worship of God. 
In the absence of the precise date, we can imagine that 
this most beautiful season of the year, and this very 
month of October, was selected for the service. The 
day opens with a bright sunshine, and the patriarchal 
head of the house unclasps the huge, old-fashioned Bible, 
and reads a chapter for the family devotions, comment- 
ino; on the verses with an abilitv which shows his 
knowledge of the Sciiptures, and his strong belief in 
the theology of the Reformation. The day is to be an 
important one in the church of New-Brunswick, and 
' earlier than usual the whole surrounding population 
are on their wav to the house of God. All the roads 
leading into the city are Hned with travelers, some on 
horseback, many on foot, and a few enjoying the luxury 
of a wao-on-ride over the rouajh and windino; roads. 

There is no service that day at Six Mile Kun, and 
the whole congregation are present. Every family in 
the surrounding country is represented in the throng. 
The men are attired in their best Sunday garments, 
low- crowned liats with very broad brims, coats of large 
dimensions, with plated buttons, polished brightly for 
the occasion, ruffled bosoms and wristbands, with silver 
sleeve-buttons, and the more aged in small clothes, with 
knee-buckles, and a linen neck-tie of 2:)erfect whiteness. 
The women were modestly and appropriately attired ; 
the dress was of homespun material of fine texture, ex- 



HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 53 

iremely sliort-waistecl, but not entirely devoid of orna- 
neiit; their bonnets were large and expansive, witli 
;rowns of sufficient size to inclose the most aspiring 
lead-dress; a neat linen collar, with knit gloves of their 
)wn manufacture, and a stout pair of shoes completed 
;he toilet. 

Thus attired, the people gather into the sanctuary, 
rhe building is 2:)lain, and for the times ample in its 
3roportions. It is of rough stone, brought all the way 
Tom Hurl-Gate in sloops, up the Raritan, and they are 
•itill preserved in the walls of this edifice. The j^ews 
lave been sold the preceding week ; and, since there is 
10 bell in the tower, the signal of a horn announces the 
lour of worship, while the services are regulated by an 
aour-glass. The voorlezer takes his seat in front of the 
pulpit, and, according to the custom of the day, com- 
nences the exercises by reading the ten commandments 
md selections from the Scriptures, after which the 
psalm is read, and for the first time those walls resound 
^vith the praise of God. During the singing the min- 
ister enters the church, bowino; to the ris^ht and left as 
lie passes up the crowded aisle, pausing for a few mo- 
Qients with covered face in silent devotion before enter- 
ing the sacred desk. He is now in his full j^i'ime, having 
served the congregation for about nineteen years. The 
hour-glass stands at the right of the minister, by the 
side of the Bible. While the sermon is in progress, the 
sand has run out; it is then turned, and the congrega- 
tion know that a half hour of the discourse is yet to 
come. But the people listen with grave attention, and 
are full of reverence. We have the names of all the 
heads of families. We may suppose that John Schure- 
man, the patriot and scholar, was present that day, and 
had a glad time in seeing the building for which he had 



54 HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

toiled completed ; as also Philip French, who gave the 
lot, and Christian Van Doreu, Hendrick Fisher, Derick 
Van Veghten, Abraham Oakey, and Jeremiah Van Der- 
bilt, former elders of the church, Hendrick Van Deur- 
sen, with his son William, were in the assembly; so 
also were Jacobus and James Van Nuise, both young 
men. Then there were John and Matthew Sleio-ht, and 
a long list of Voorhees, Roelef, Albert, Lucas, John, 
James, Garret, Martinus, Matthew, and Abraham ; there 
were Edward Van Harlingen, John Kyder, Charles Bor- 
ram, Peter Vredenberg, Matthew Egerton. Abraham 
Schuyler was also there, giving promise of the useful 
man which he afterward became. So also the Van 
Liews, Dennice, John, Hendrick, and Frederick; the 
Stoothoffs, Whilhelmus, Johannes, John, and Cornelius; 
the Suydams, Charles and Cornelius; the Outgelts, 
Fredrick and Johannes ; the Waldrons, Leffert and 
John. And, while we have the familiar names of 
Nevius, Spader, Garretson, Van Sickle, Provost, Thomp- 
son, De Hart, Wyckoff, Van Pelt, and Cortleyou, all 
represented among us to-day, we have also some which 
are no longer known in our city, as Hyse, E[ortwick, 
Standley, Wilton, Probasco, Hance, Kin, and Hassert. 
All these, with others, listened to the word of God that 
day. The morning service was followed by an inter- 
mission of half an hour, and then they all returned to 
hear another sermon. Thus the Sabbath day passed, 
closing with the family recitation in the catechism, and 
evening worship. 

The services in this church were held on each alter- 
nate Sabbath, and there is the evidence of great punc- 
tuality in the administration of the ordinances. Mr. 
Leydt was a very laborious minister ; and while he does 
not seem to have left any distinct impressions of his 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 55 

pulpit talents, lie is represented to have been very 
faithful as a pastor. He took a very active part in all 
the public enterprises of the day. In connection with 
the organization of new churches, the calling and in- 
stallation of 2^astors, and the healing of difficulties in 
congregations, we will find the name of Dominie Leydt. 
He was a regular member of the Coetus, a constant at- 
tendant on their meetings, and, from the frequent refer- 
ences to his name, he seems to have been a prominent 
and influential member. He took a ^varm interest in 
this long controversy, and is placed among the number 
of those who v/ere chiefly instrumental in procuring 
the independence of the church in this country. He 
wrote several very excellent pamphlets on the subject, 
which were answered by the opponents of the measure, 
and are referred to in the minutes of that body. The 
Classis of Amsterdam, in their correspondence with the 
churches in this country, speak of his writings as excel- 
lent in spirit and argument.'"" At one time he repre- 
sented the Coetus to the Conferentie party, and was 
chairman of the committee. In the minutes of the 
latter body he is represented as being very pointed in 
his remarks, and as saying some things so piercing that 
they could hardly keej") silent. On the erection of the 
General Synod, he was associated with Dr. Livingston 
in conducting the princij^al part of their business, and 
at their annual meeting at New-Paltz, in 1778, he was 
chosen president.f 



* I have this fact from Dr. Thomas De Witt, but have not seen the minute 
itself Tills valuable correspondence would have been of service, no doubt, 
in compilinj:; this history. There is an admirable paper in the collection by 
])r. Hardenbcr<:,h, which presents the points of controversy in a strong light. 
I regiet very much that I could not obtain access to the book of minutes 
copied from the original under the direction of Synod. We are pleased to 
learn that all the documents are soon to be given to the public. 

t See Minutes of Si/ nod, Vol. I. — Giin's Life of Lklngaton, p. 143. 



HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 



Mr. Leydt was one of the prominent movers in the 
estaljlishment of Queen's, now Kutgers College. This 
was the favorite object of the Coetus, or progressive 
and evangelical party in the church. With them an 
educated ministry was the great want of our American 
Zion ; as Mr. Leydt expresses it in a letter to Dr. Liv- 
ingston, " I humbly conceive that, without a regular 
course of collegiate studies, we shall never make any 
respectable figure in church or state." The Charter of 
this institution was procured of Governor Franklin, 
March 20th, 17T0. In the following year the long con- 
troversy in which the church had been engaged was 
finally adjusted by adopting a plan of union, drawn up 
by Dr. Livingston, which received the approval of the 
church in Holland, and which dated our separate eccle- 
siastical organization. The consent was based upon a 
condition that the Dutch Church in America should 
make provision in her constitution to provide herself 
with an educated ministry. The founding of our col- 
lege was an event that gave great joy to our church. 
Mr. Leydt was one of the signers of the petition to 
Governor Franklin for the charter, and was named as a 
trustee ; as such he attended a meeting of the board at 
Hackensack, when the location of the college was defi- 
nitely fixed at New-Brunswick. In the letter to Dr. 
Livingston, from which I have quoted a sentence, he re- 
joices over the event in this language : " The great and 
glorious promise consequent uj)on the noble confession 
of Nathanael, ' Tliou slialt see greater things than these^ 
frequently exercising my mind upon fiivorable turns in 
Divine Providence, with acknowledgment and expecta- 
tions, hath with some energy of late reverted to my 
mind with respect to our present situation ; as a door 
seems to ,be opening, not only for a desirable union 



HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 5V 

and fixed order, but also increase of knowledge and ef- 
fusion of the Holy Spirit." In the same letter lie ap- 
prises Dr. Livingston of a motion in tlie board of 
trustees to elect Lim president of the college, and of 
certain otlier plans to render the institution pros2:)erous 
and efficient.'"^ 

We are brou2:ht in the course of our narrative to the 
commencement of the Kevolutionaiy war, a most inte- 
resting period in the history of our country and our 
church. During all these exciting years of conflict Mr. 
Leydt was the ^^astor of this church, and there are in- 
dications of great interruption in the growth of the 
congregation. There had been a steady increase in the 
number of membership up to the year 1773, but dur- 
ing the next six years there are no records of additions 
to the church. The minds of the people were agitated 
with the din of preparation, the city during a portion 
of this time was in the possession of the enemy, and 
for more than a year the services in the church build- 
ing Avere entirely suspended. 

Mr. Leydt was a firm patriot, and took a warm inte- 
rest in the conflict. He preached upon the topics of 
the day in such a manner as to rouse the patriotism of 
the people into a j^itch of enthusiasm ; he prayed for 
the success of the American cause, and counseled the 
young men to join the army of freedom. 

New-Brunswick suffered during the war to an extent 
to which few towns were subjected. It lay in the path 
of the two armies crossing and recrossing the State, and 
in the varying fortunes of war was at one time in the 
hands of the enemy, and at another under the protec- 

*Mr. Leydt was a member of the Board of Trustees of Princeton Col- 
lege, and served in that position for six years, under the presidency of Dr. 
Samuel Finlej^ 



58 HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

tion of friends. During the winter of 1776-77, the 
city was in the possession of the British army, who oc- 
cupied it by a very large force. Lord Howe, the Com- 
mander-in-Chief, had his head-quarters in the Neilson 
house in Burnet street; the Hessian commander in the 
Van Nuise house in Queen street. Fortifications were 
thrown up on the hill beyond our Theological Semi- 
nary, and two important out-posts were erected — one at 
Baritan Landing,on an eminence overlooking the river; 
the other on Bennet's Island, two miles below the city. 
Many of the officers were quartered upon the inhabit- 
ants ; and on the property of William Van Deursen, 
below New street, there was an encampment with a 
redoubt thrown up for their protection. 

Many of the citizens Avere compelled to abandon 
their residences ; all business was suspended ; public 
worship broken up, and the whole town under the 
control of the enemy. The British army immediately 
appropriated to their own use all the public buildings 
of the city. The pews were taken out of our church, 
and it was converted first into a hospital, and after- 
ward into a stable. The Presbyterian church was 
burned under the followino; circumstances : On the re- 
treat of the American army from New-Brunswick, 
Captain Adam Hyler, with a small force, was the last to 
leave the to^^m. Hotly j)ursued through the streets by 
the enemy, he defended himself for a short time behind 
the walls of the building ; when, overcome by a supe- 
rior force, he was compelled to abandon his position, and 
the British fired the edifice, which, being constructed of 
wood, was partially consumed. Colonel Taylor was in 
this engagement, and for about an hour was retained as 
a^ prisoner in the hands of the enemy; but by a bold 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 59 

cliarge, lie was rescued from the guard, and returned to 
liis own party."' 

The British remained in j)ossession of the city for 
about six months, and during this period they sent out 
frecpient foraging expeditions into the country. During 
the months of January, February, and March, they 
were shut uj^ in the town, l:)eing cut oft from their base 
of supplies at Amboy. The army Avas short of pro- 
visions, and a fleet "was sent up the Raritan to replen- 
ish their exhausted stores. Lord Cornwallis, who was 
the military commander of the post, was apprised of 
this expected relief, and watched eagerly for the ap- 
proaching boats. Just as they rounded the point below 
the city, a battery of six cannon, which had been put 
into position during the preceding night, opened upon 
them, when five of the boats were immediately dis- 
abled and sunk, and the remainder returned in a crip- 
pled condition to Amboy. It v/as at this time that 
General Howe in person made an attempt to open com- 
munication by land ; but the expedition failed, and he 
came near falling into the hands of the Americans.f 

The farmers throughout this whole section of country 
were compelled to deliver over their stores into the 

* The records of their church are supposed at this time to have been 
destroyed. They were in the hands of an elder, Dr. Moses Scott, who was 
compelled to take a sudden fliglit, leaving his property in tlieir hands, and 
barely escaped capture. He was just sitting down to dinner when the ene- 
my entered the town, who made a feast at the doctor's expense. He was 
Surgeon-General of the Army of New-Jersej^, and procured a valuable 
supi)ly of medicines from France, stored away in boxes, all of which fell 
into the enemy's hands. But they were of no advantage, for a neighbor 
told them that ihe doctor had poisoned the medicines on purpose to destroy 
the British, who at once emptied his boxes into the streets. — Dr. David- 
soil's Historical Sketch, pp. 17, 31, which see, as also for other facts connect- 
ed wiih the Presbyterian church. 

t See WkitehcacVs Aml)oy,]i. Ml. Also for other incidents of the Revo- 
lution in this country. Local traditions are still abundant and distinct. The 
city which suffered so greatly has an unwritten history which should be 
preserved. Would it not be well to gather together these items before they 
perish beyond recovery ? 



60 HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

Lands of the Britisli.'^- At Three Mile Pain the build- 
ings were all plundered, and frequently fired. Barns 
were torn down to supply timber for the construction 
of a temporary bridge over the Raritan, and some of 
the most wanton cruelties were inflicted. 

But they were not allowed to remain in the undis- 
turbed possession of the town. Colonels Neilson and 
Taylor gave them constant trouble ; Captain Guest was 
on the watch for a favorable opportunity to pounce 
upon the Hessians ; James Schureman, who had learned 
something of war at the battle of Long Island, gave 
them no rest ; while Captain Hyler, whose adventures 
with his whale-boats around Staten Island seem almost 
romantic, and who could fight on land as well as on 
water, kept them in constant apprehension. These 
ofiicers watched every movement of the enemy, drove 
back their foraging parties into the city, and often 
skirmished with their outposts. 

Deeds of personal valor were of frequent occurrence, 
and traditions are preserved in the families of the town 
of heroism unsurpassed in the whole history of the 
conflict. Colonel Neilson organized a secret expedition 

* The following schedule of property taken from Mr. John Van Liew, of 
Three Mile Run, will illustrate the ruthless spirit of the enemy, and the 
hardships encountered by the inhabitants of this region during the war. 
The list is valuable as exhibiting the price of different articles at the com- 
mencement of the Revolution, a pound representing $2.50 of our currency. 
I only enumerate the more important articles taken by " the Regulars :" 

£. s. £. s. 

1 span horses 36 00 38 Albany boards 4 15 

1 colt, two years old 12 00 TOO thin Albany boards 2 09 

50 bushels corn 12 10 1 house burned 80 00 

28 bushels wheat 10 GO 15 bushels potatoes 1 17 

Riding chair and harness. . . 15 00 300 cwt. flour 2 14 

30 tons of hay 105 00 100 fowls 3 15 

9 cows 51 15 8 turkeys 1 00 

25 head of sheep 17 10 50 pounds of pork, 5d. per pound. 

Floors of house and barn taken up. 1 negro, 23 years old, smart and 
active, £105. 



HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 61 

against the outpost of tlie Britisli on Beunet's Island, 
now known as Island Farm. With a picked command, 
numbering two hundred men, he stealthily approached 
the ^vo^ks on the morning of February 18th, some time 
before daybreak. It was a clear, cold night, and a 
fresh fall of snow rendered the undertaking extremely 
hazardous. But they reached the works without being 
discovered, and Colonel Neilson was the first man to 
leap the stockade. Captain Farmer saved the life of 
his commander at this moment by aiming a well- 
directed blow at the sentinel, who Avas in the act of 
discharging his musket into his breast. The short 
engagement lasted only a few minutes, when the works 
were surrendered by Major Stockton, who was the 
acting commander of the post in the absence of Colonel 
Skinner. One captain, several subordinate officers, and 
fifty-five privates were taken prisoners, and a quantity 
of munitions of war were captured. The British knew 
nothing of the event, as only a few guns were fired, 
until some time during the morning, when the Ameri- 
cans with their prisoners and booty were far on their 
way toward Princeton, where General Putnam was 
stationed, into whose hands they delivered their spoils. 
Colonel Neilson and his men received from General 
Washington a very high compliment for the wisdom 
with which he had planned, and the secrecy with which 
he had executed, this most successful expedition. 

On the 28th of May, Washington, who had spent the 
previous winter at Morristown, marched his army of 
7500 to the heights of Middlebrook. Here he lay 
for two weeks watching the movements of the enemy at 
Brunswick, from a joosition which has since been called 
"Washington's Rock." In the meanwhile the route to 
Amboy had been opened, both by land and water, and 



62 niSTOEICAL DISCO UESE. 

troops had been pushed forward to this point in large 
numbers, until by the 12th of June an army of 17,000 
British and Hessians was assembled, under those 
veteran commanders. Generals Howe, Cornwallis, and 
De Heister. Both the English and German com- 
manders were agreed that they had never seen a 
more splendid army, or one so well disciplined and 
equipped, and in better spirits.* On the 14th, they 
marched out of the city in the direction of Mid- 
dlebush, with the design of drawing on an engage- 
ment with Washington if they could induce him to 
leave the strong position which he occupied. Re- 
mains of the fortifications which they hastily threw up 
are still visible on the farm of Mr. John Wilson. Here 
the enemy remained until the 19th, when, failing in 
their design, they returned to Brunswick and made 
immediate pre2:)aration to evacuate the State. They 
were pursued by the iimericans, and so greatly har- 
assed on their retreat that it was not until the 1st of 
July that they were able to cross over from Amboy to 
the place of their destination on Staten Island. 

After their evacuation of the city, the inhabitants 
returned to their homes and found every thing in a 
most desolate condition. The work of destruction had 
been carried on indiscriminately and ruthlessly. The 
devotion of the inhabitants to the cause of their country 
had exposed them to the special wrath of their enemies. 
We have the authority of Governor Livingston for the 
statement that there were very few whose sjanpathies 



^■' " For its numbers, that army had not its equal in the world. Every 
soldier was eager for a battle." — Bancroft, vol. 9, p. 351. The time was 
eventful and critical. About the time when these two armies confronted 
each other, namely, June 14th, Congress adopted the flag of our country. 
The historian remarks: "The immovable fortitude of Washington in his 
camp at Middlebrook was the salvation of that beautiful flag." P. 352. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 63 

were witli tlie royal cause. In a letter to Governor 
Bowdoin, of Massachusetts, on behalf of the Presby- 
terian church, who solicited aid from abroad to rebuild 
their church edifice, he writes: "With respect to the 
political principles of the inhabitants of New-Bruns- 
wick, it may be proper to do them the justice of add- 
ing that they have, through the whole course of the 
war, approved themselves firm and distinguished 
Whigs, and inflexibly persevered in their attachment 
to the cause of America in the most gloomy and peril- 
ous times of her conflict with Great Britain." 

This, as we may well suppose, was a gloomy summer 
in the town, as well as a dark day for the country. 
But nothing could discourage the hearts of patriots, 
and they immediately addressed themselves to the 
work of rebuilding. Our church edifice underwent a 
temporary repair, and for some time was occiq^ied on 
alternate Sabbaths by the Presbyterian congregation, 
the blackened walls of whose buildino* were left stand- 
ing below Lyle's brook.'"" Mr. Leydt was immediately 
at his post, and preached for his peoj)le two Sabbaths 
in the month of July, the first service which he had 
been able to hold in the city since the beginning of 
December. This long interruption had a very sad 
effect upon all the interests of the church, and the 
troubles of the times prevented the growth of the con- 
gregation. 

Indeed, during the whole subsequent part of his 
ministry, which was brought to a close in 1783, the 
town was kept in a constant state of alarm. Captain 

* The building was not entirely destroyed, but, as the congregation con- 
templated removing to another part of the city, instead of repairing the old 
edifice it was sold to Mr. Ilasscrt, who removed it to New street and con- 
verted it into a dwelling-house. This building is still standing, and is now 
No. 21. 



64 IIISTOEICAL DISCOUESE. 

Hyler, to whose romantic exploits I liave referred, made 
this place his rendezvous. He had under his command 
one gun-boat, the Defiance, and several large whale- 
boats, with which he would proceed down the Raritan 
and annoy the trading vessels, transports, and j)lunder- 
ing parties of tlie enemy around Staten and Long 
Islands, and in the neighborhood of Sandy Hook. He 
selected only the bravest men, so expert in the use of 
the oar that, when rowing at the rate of twelve miles 
an hour, they could be heard only at ashort distance. 
He had the faculty of infusing into his men his own 
spirit of adventure and daring. On one of his excur- 
sions he captured five vessels, two of them armed, in 
about fifteen minutes, within pistol-shot of the guard- 
ship at Sandy Hook. In anotlier enterprise he cap- 
tured an eighteen-gun cutter, which he was forced to 
blow up, after removing a quantity of stores and ammu- 
nition. His plan was to sally out of his berth near the 
uj^per lock, pass rapidly down the river, make his cap- 
tures, and dash back again often pursued by the enemy, 
who made slow progress with their heavier vessels, and 
dared not to follow him alonar the tortuous channel of 

o 

the Raritan. 

The annoyance was so great that an expedition ot 
three hundred men, in several boats, was fitted out to 
proceed to Brunswick, and destroy his whale-boats and 
recapture some of the ammunition. The plan was car- 
ried into eftect January 4th, 17S2. The river was clear- 
of ice, and, proceeding cautiously up the Raritan, they 
had nearly reached the town, when at midnight Mr. 
Peter Wyckoff was awakened by the barking of a 
watch-dog; and, holding his ear to the ground, he heard 
the measured stroke of muffled oars, and at once con- 
cluded that an attack was to be made upon the city. 



HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 65 

Rloimtiug a fleet horse, lie gave the alarm to Captain 
aiiest, and spread the word from house to house, warn- 
.ng the inhabitants of danger. A scene of great excite- 
nent nov/ ensued. Lights flashed through tlie town, 
md in a short space of time all the able-bodied men 
iVere under arms. But the enemy had reached the 
,vhale-boats and set them on fire, when our men came 
ip, and, driving them ofi", prevented them from accom- 
plishing their purpose They now found that their 
)nly safety consisted in a hasty retreat. The night was 
lark, and a running fight took place in the streets, 
rhe British endeavored to reach their boats by passing 
lown Queen street to their rendezvous at the foot of 
Pown lane. But the}^ were intercepted at the Dutch 
;hurch, from behind the walls of which a volley was 
h'ed as they pressed on, eager only to escaj^e. The 
)rincipal skirmish took place near Mr. Agnew's ; but 
hey succeeded in reaching the river, and made their 
vay back to Staten Island. The enemy's loss in this 
ncounter was four men killed and several wounded. 
)n the side of the Americans there was the loss of six 
)ersons wounded, none proving fatal, and five or six 
)risoners. A ball was shot through the body of John- 
^afey in this skirmish, but the prompt attention of 
Colonel Taylor saved his life. The enemy completely 
ailed in the object of their expedition, and Captain 
lyler was on the water in a few weeks, more daring 
han ever. He died in this city in 1782; but, strange 
o relate, no one knows the j)lace of his burial. 

Some of the members of our congregation took a very 
,ctive part in this contest, and their names are honor- 
,bly mentioned in the history of the State. Of this 
Lumber the Elder Hendrick Fisher was most devotedly 
nterested in the cause of his country. Perhaps ther& 



Q6 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

was uo man whose influence was greater, or counsel 
more sought after, during the whole progress of the 
war. He had been lono; at the head of the affairs of 
the church, and was the acknowledged leader in the 
congregation. He was born in the year 1G97, emi- 
grated to this country when quite a young man, and 
was received into the membership of this church in 
1721, shortly after the settlement of Mr. Frelinghuysen. 
His election to the office of deacon was resisted by the 
party opposed to the minister; but their objections 
were overruled, and he was accordingly ordained. He 
was a mechanic by occupation, but a man of great in- 
telligence, who deservedly commanded the respect and 
confidence of his fellow-citizens, and occupied a very 
prominent place in public estimation. In his private 
character he was irreproachable, and for nearly sixty 
years he was a consistent, useful, and active member 
of the church. The confidence which was reposed 
in him is indicated by his reelection to the ofiice of 
elder on several occasions, and his appointment to re- 
present the church in all ecclesiastical courts. He was 
a zealous supporter of the Coetus party, a member 
of the first convention in 1738, and an attendant at 
each one of their subsequent meetings. On the adop- 
tion of the Plan of Union, in 1771, his name appears 
among the delegates ; and, as a member of one of the 
important committees, he was instrumental in the in- 
auguration of that new era of reconciliation and har- 
mony in the church. With all his other attainments, 
he Avas thoroughly versed in the science of theology, 
and became a lay preacher and catechist. Some of his 
sermons were published and circulated among the 
people, and are said to have been rich in their doc- 
trinal statements and pungent in their application of 
the truth. 



niSTORICAL DISCOUESE. 67 

In civil life he took a very honorable and important 
stand. He was elected a member of the Assembly of 
this State, and was serving in that capacity at the com- 
mencement of the Revolutionary war. Although he 
was at this time quite advanced in life, yet he entered 
into the contest with great warmth and decision, and is 
justly reputed to have contributed largely to the suc- 
cess of our struggle for Independence. Pie was a dele- 
gate to the Provincial Congress of New- Jersey, which 
met at Trenton in May, 1775, of which important body 
he was elected president, and in an opening address set 
forth in a forcible manner the grievances of the Ameri- 
can Colonies. He was chairman of the Committee of 
Safety, exercising legislative authority during the re- 
cesses of Congress, and held other offices of honor and 
trust. In his public life, as in his private character, he 
was without a blot, and evinced in all his acts the 
spirit of a Christian patriot. While he made himself 
obnoxious to his tory neighbors on account of his un- 
compromising loyalty to the cause of his country, and 
had to go constantly armed in his journeys, yet he was 
a man of great courage, as well as of integrity. The 
scattered materials of his history should be gathered 
together, and his name preserved among the honorable 
men of our State. The residence of Hendrick Fisher 
was about five miles above the city, on the road to 
Boundbrook, and the farm which he occupied is now 
in the possession of Isaac Brokaw. In an obscure 
burial-ground, overgrown with a dense thicket, stands 
a plain brown slab, with the simple inscription, " In 
memory of Hendrick Fisher, who departed this life 
August 16th, 1779, in the eighty-second year of his 
age." 

Hon. James Schureman was at this time a young man, 



68 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

and was in active service during tlie Avar, He iiad gradu- 
ated at Queen's College about the year 1773, and v^as an 
accurate scholar. Chiefly by means of his example and 
eloquence in pleading at public meetings, a company 
was formed in the town, who enlisted in the army, and 
served with great credit at the battle of Long Island. 
He had a command as captain in tlie early part of the 
war, and was offered a high position in the regular 
army. But he preferred to serve as a volunteer, and 
held himself ready to go out at a moment's warning 
against the enemy. In the daring expedition of Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Simcoe, at the head of the Queen's 
Rangers, from Amboy to Somerville, and thence to 
Millstone — one of the most brilliant exploits of the war 
— October 25th, 1779, Captain Guest intercepted him 
on his return about two miles beyond Brunswick, and 
attached the party. One man was killed and several 
wounded ; Simcoe's horse received three balls, and, fall- 
ing on him, v/ounded him severely, when a militia-man 
was on the point of piercing him with his bayonet, 
when Schureman knocked up his musket and took him 
prisoner. Among the pursuers of the party was a CajD- 
tain Peter G. Voorhees, a grandson of the Elder Minne, 
and a brother-in-law of Colonel Neilson, who, in his 
zeal, got in advance of his men, and was assaulted by 
the enemy. In his effort to leap a fence at the inter- 
section of George's road and 'Town lane, his horse be- 
came entangled, and the British, on coming up, with 
great cruelty wounded him with their swords, although 
he was a prisoner in their hands, and left him senseless 
in the road. He was brought into the city, and sur- 
vived only a few hours. He was a young man very 
highly esteemed, a brave officer in the regular army, 
and the rage of the inhabitants at the brutal murder 



EISTOEICAL DISCOUESE, 69 

was so great that, during tlie night, the town was 
searched for Simcoe, threatening revenge on his person. 
He was concealed in the old stone house on the corner 
of Neilson and Albany streets, from whence he was re- 
moved to Burlington, where he remained a 23risoner 
until honorably exchanged. 

Mr. Schureman was taken prisoner during the war 
near the Mills on Lawrence Brook, and, after being 
confined for a few days in the guard-house near the 
Neilson mansion, he was removed to the notorious 
sugar-house, in the rear of the Middle Dutch Church, 
New- York, from whence he made his escape to the 
American army at Morristown. After the war was 
closed, he was elected a member of Congress, in 1789, 
after which he was chosen to the United States Senate 
for a full term, and again returned to the House of Rep- 
resentatives in 1812, as colleague with Richard Stock- 
ton. He served several terms as Mayor of the city, 
and as a citizen was held in high esteem. He was a 
grandson of the school-master, Jacobus Schureman, and 
an infl.uential member of the church. He died January 
22d, 1824, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. The 
confidence in which he was held by the connnunity is 
attested by the offices of trust to which he was ap- 
pointed, both in church and state, and, to perpetuate 
his name, one of the streets of the city w^as called after 
him, Schureman street. 

The ministry of Mr. Leydt was brought to a close by 
his sudden death, June 2d, 1783, in the sixty-fifth year 
of his age, and thirty -fifth of his pastorate. He preached 
on Sabbath morning, the day preceding, and was smit- 
ten down by paralysis about noon. His funeral was 
attended from his residence, and he was buried in the 



70 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

yard at Three Mile Run."^" He was . the pastor of this 
church for thirty-five years. He left two sons, both of 
whom graduated from Queen's College, and subse- 
quently entered the ministry. Matthew was pastor 
of a church in Bucks county, Pa., and died November 
24th, 17S3.f Peter was settled at Ramapo, and died 
at that jAace June 12th, 1796. J None of the descend- 
ants of Mr. Leydt are now living. 

He is described as a short, stout man, of dark fea- 
tures, very quick in his movements, and in his dispo- 
sition kind and affable. As a j^astor he is said to have 
been highly esteemed, and to have had a j^eculiar fac- 
ulty of drawing around him the young people of his 
charge. His dress was the clerical costume of the 
tintes, and in his manners he was a gentleman of the 
old school and made himself agreeable to all classes. 
His preaching was in the Dutch language, during the 
early part of his ministry, exclusively ; in his latter 
years he preached in English one half the time. His 
sermons were instructive, and always delivered with a 
full voice and an earnestness of manner that held the 
attention of his hearers. He was a good man and uni- 
versally beloved, and his death was a public loss. The 



* The graveyard had no connection with the old church at this spot, as 
it was not used as a place of burial until some years after the building was 
removed. Mr. Leydt's tombstone stands immediately in front of the gate, 
with an inscription stating the day of his death and age. His wife, Treyntje 
Sleight, died December 2d, 1763, aged thirty-six, and is buried by his side. 
Two other stones mark the graves of his children — Elizabeth, died October 
27th, 1760, aged twelve; and Anna, died June 10th, aged seven months. 

t He is buried in the old ground, at a place familiarly known as " The 
Buck," near which stood the first church building of the congregation of 
North-Hampton, Pa. His tombstone bears the inscription, " In memory 
of the Rev. Matthew Light, who died the 24th of November, 1783, aged 
twenty-nine years." 

J In the family burying-ground of Andrew Hopper, on the margin of the 
river Ramapo, is a plain stone, with the inscription, " In memory of Rev. 
Peter Light, who was born the 6th of November, 1763, and departed this 
life the 12th of June, 1796." 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 71 

total number of additions to tlie membership of tlie 
cliurcli diirino; liis ministry was one hundred and 
twenty-four. The names of several are omitted from 
the record, and we have no means of ascertaining the 
actual number of communicants. The times were un- 
favorable for religious growth, and the War of Inde- 
pendence effectually checked the prosperity of the con- 
s-reo-ation. But durino; all these years he had around 
him a strong body of active and praying men, and a 
goodly company of helping women. That there were 
no revivals in his ministry is not a matter of suiprise ; 
that the church continued in existence during all these 
troublous times is owing to the grace and power of her 
Head. 

While his time was very much occupied witli the 
public affairs of the church and the nation, in his par- 
ticular charge he was always diligent. He has left be- 
hind liim the reputation of being a great peace-maker. 
The fact that he carried the two congregations through 
the perilous time of church-building in a spirit of har- 
mony — one previous to 1766 at Six Mile Run, the other 
at New-Brunswick completed in 1767, in both instances 
selecting new sites at a considerable distance from the 
former localities — would go far to confirm the record. 

During the period under review the property known 
as the old burying-ground came into the possession of 
the church. The southern portion, including and lying 
below Liberty street, which was opened through it in 
1810, was deeded to the congregation about 1729 by 
Mr. Jan Van Nuise, and was the first public cemetery 
of the church. On August 1st, 1773, the lot was en- 
larged by the gift of about two acres from Mr. Dennis 
Van Liew, deeded to the trustees under the old char- 
ter, for the benefit of the Reformed Dutch Church. A 



73 HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 

clause in the deed states that " the greatest part of tlie 
said i^iece of ground was anciently given as a burial- 
place for the dead, and always has been used for that 
purpose." 

During the vacancy that followed on the death of 
Mr. Leydt, tlie pulpit was supplied by neighboring 
ministers. On one of these Sabbaths the services were 
conducted by Rev. William Jackson, the son-in-law of 
Mr. Frelinghuysen. An anecdote is related of him, 
which, at this stage of our discourse, will seem quite 
appropriate. He was a great orator, according to all 
accounts, but addicted to the unfortunate habit of 
preaching long sermons. The days were sliort, and in 
the morning service he had given them a discourse of 
near two hours in leno^th, and the afternoon seemed to 
promise quite as long. Darkness was coming on, and 
there were no arrano-ements for lio-htino^ the buildino; ; 
when James Schureman gave to the minister a sis^n 
that it would be ao-reeable to the consfreo-ation if he 
would bring his sermon to a close. "With great vehe- 
mence of gesticulation Mr. Jackson cried out in a sten- 
torian voice, in the Dutch language, " ZU neer^ Jacobus 
Schureman^ ih zeg zit neer / Paulus jyredikte tot den 
midder-nacJit P — " Sit down, James Schureman, I say 
sit down ; Paul preached until midnight." 

Sixty-six years had now elapsed since the organiza- 
tion of the church, and from 1720, the year of Dominie 
Frelinghuysen's settlement, they had enjoyed without 
interruption the stated administration of the ordinances. 
But in the summer of 1783 the situation of the church 
was most perplexing, and some were greatly discour- 
aged. The excellent pastor, Mr. Leydt, had died, uni- 
versally lamented, just at the close of the Revolution- 
ary war. The church building, which had been almost 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 73 

destroyed by the enemy, thougli temporarily repaired 
on the evacuation of the town by the British army, 
still showed signs of the depi'edations to which it had 
been exposed. The people were exhausted with the 
long struggle thi'ough which they had passed, while 
the business of the city had been entirely suspended. 
Many of the families had removed into the country to 
escape the troubles of the times, and had not yet re- 
turned. The Presbyterian church experienced similar 
troubles. After the loss of their edifice by fire, instead 
of rebuilding on the old site in Burnet street, they re- 
moved to their present eligible situation, purchasing 
four lots at a public vendue held by the sherift' of the 
count}^, Abraham Schuyler, Esq., for the sura of £148. 
But the labor of building the new church did not 
commence until the following year, when that congre- 
gation was forced to seek aid from abroad, under a 
recommendation from Governor Livingston, who repre- 
sents them as " greatly reduced in number, and injured 
in property, by the havoc of war." 

This was the situation of afl'airs in the city on the 
death of Mr. Leydt. But ]3ublic worship was main- 
tained with considerable regularity, as appears from 
the register of baptisms, and the entries made in the 
almoner's book of collections for the poor. But there 
was a work yet for this church to do .imder God, who 
had in store for them a rich gift in their next pastor. 

On the death of Mr. Leydt, Six Mile Run united with 
Millstone in the settlement of Bev. John M. Van 
Harlingen ; while New-Brunswick undertook the sup- 
port of a minister alone. Bev. Simon Van Arsda- 
len, of Beadington, was called in 1784, but he could 
not be induced to accept the invitation, and it was not 



74 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

until tlie fall of the following year that they secured 
the services of the third pastor of this church. 

EEV. JACOB EUTSEI7 HAEDEISTBEEGII, D.D. 

The call was sent to him in October, 1785, but he 
did not commence his ministry until the next spring, 
at the same time he assumed the Presidency of Queen's 
College. His father, Colonel Johannes Hardenbergh, 
emigrated from Prussia in the latter part of the seven- 
teenth century, and, by purchase, became the proprietor 
of a tract of land in Ulster county, N. Y., known as the 
Hardenbergh Patent. Jacob was born at Rosen dale, in 
1738. His literary education was not so extensive as 
might be desired, enjoying only the advantages of the 
Academy of Kingston. His theological studies he 
pursued under the direction of Rev. John Freling- 
huysen, of Raritan. He was licensed to preach by the 
Coetus, in 1757, when only twenty years of age. His 
preceptor dying suddenly, he was immediately called 
to succeed him in his pastoral charge, and in the month 
of May, 1758, he commenced liis labors in the five 
united congregations of Raritan, North-Branch, Mill- 
stone, Beclminster, and New-Shannock. Of t^vo of 
these conm-eo-ations he was relieved in 1761, In this 
extensive field he labored with great fidelity during a 
period of twenty-five years. While at Raritan he en- 
countered numerous difficulties. At the commencement 
of his ministry, the church was distracted with the 
long controversy, which was carried on witli great 
warmth in his own charge, and his latter years were 
spent amid the din of the Revolution.* 

* During the latter part of his ministry the congregation was destitute 
of a house of worship. Their church edifice was destroyed by fire in 
1779, by the British forces under Colonel Simco, and was not rebuilt until 



HISTORICAL DISCOUESE, 75 

He remained at Somerville until the year 1781, 
when he retired to his native place and served the 
church at Kochester until his removal to this city in 
the month of April, 1786. Almost immediately on the 
death of Mr. Leydt, this church looked to him as his 
successor, and at the same time the trustees of the 
college desired his services as its President, electing as 
his associate John Taylor, the patriot of the Kevolu- 
tion, Professor of Natural Philosophy and Mathematics. 
With this two-fold charge he labored with intense zeal 
and devotion, and drew around him a strons; cons-reo-a- 
tion. Early in the year 1787, the church edifice, which 
had been temporarily repaired after the destruction of 
the war, was thoroughly remodeled. The building was 
reseated and painted, a fence for the first time erected 
around the inclosure, and burials in the ground com- 
menced. 

This was the beginning of a marked period in the 
history of the church. Dr. Hardenbergh had endeared 
himself to the people by the influence he had exerted 
during the struggle for Independence. He had shown 
a willingness to serve his country by any sacrifice or 
labor that he could render in her cause. He was the 
personal friend of Washington, whose headquarters 
during several months were within the bounds of his 
congregation at Paritan, and who uniformly attended 
his church, taking his seat at the head of the elders' 
pew. On two dififeren'c occasions he was selected by 
our citizens to deliver the oration at the Anniversary of 
Independence, and among all classes he was eminently 
popular. 

1788, seven years after Mr. Ilardenbergh's resignation. The sufferings of 
that community were so great tliai it is not a matter of surprise that they 
were so long destitute of a sanctuary. 



76 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

He was a man of slender frame, and gave early indi- 
cations of pulmonary disease. His failing health inter- 
fered Vv^itli liis ministerial work, and he was only sus- 
tained by great firmness of purpose and a spirit of ele- 
vated devotion. Admonished by his failing health that 
his ministry might be sliort, he embraced every oppor- 
tunity to make the Gospel message tell upon the hearts 
of his hearers. I have a letter written by him to Dr. 
Livingston, a short time preceding his death, breathing 
a beautiful spirit of Christian trust and resignation, and 
exhibiting the character of a true ambassador of the 
Lord Jesus. 

His increasing indisposition led him " to take fre- 
quent reviews of a life so far spent," and he exclaims : 
" Oh ! what abundant reasons of humiliation before God 
has such a poor creature as I am. Blessed be God ! a 
Jesus is given, is living, is interceding for poor, indi- 
gent, sinful worms. I am sure, if tliere was not such a 
plan of salvation provided and irresistibly executed, 
my hope for a world of happiness would sink into 
gloomy despair. But on a review of many experiences 
of pardoning and supporting grace — free, infinitely free 
grace — my hope for a future happy world receives 
wings;* and, on renewed views of such a suitable and 
glorious plan of redemption — views of my dearest Je- 
sus — I try to mount on high, and now think I would 
venture with satisfaction into the world of spirits." 

But in the midst of great feebleness he labored in- 
cessantly in the cause of his Master and for the up- 
building of this church. On the 30th of March, 1790, 
he procured for this church an act of incorporation 
under the general law of the State of New-Jersey, 
passed at Perth Amboy, November 25th, 1789, assum- 
ing the name of " the Ministers, Elders, and Deacons of 



niSTOEICAL DISCOUESE. 77 

tlie Congregation of JSFew-BrunsAvick." The seal of the 
corporation adopted at a subsequent meeting of Con- 
sistory has the appropriate device of a burning lamp in 
the centre, and the words "Dutch Church of New- 
Brunswick" in the circumference, wdiich was henceforth 
to be affixed to all legal documents. This is the pres- 
ent title which we hold in law, and according to which 
we transact all the temporal concerns of the congrega- 
tion. 

But his useful and laborious life was drawing: to a 
close. In hopes that traveling and a change of climate 
would administer relief, he spent a few weeks in the 
months of April and May, 1790, in his native town; 
but he returned worse than when he left the city, "and 
was almost determined to relinquish business, and to 
retire to his farm during the summer season." But he 
could not abandon the work of the ministry, nor leave 
his jDost as the President of the college. Again he 
sought relief in a change of objects, and in rest at Perth 
Amboy, in attendance upon the Legislature then iu ses- 
sion. And now he returns so much invio-orated that 
he is able to preach the preparation sermon on Satur- 
day, and administer the communion and preach twice 
on the Lord's Day with comparative ease. " I enter- 
tain some ho|)es," he writes, " that the God of all grace 
did not leave himself without some witness." It was 
his last communion season, and he enjoyed in an un- 
usual degree the presence and suppoi't of his precious 
Saviour. " Oh ! how sweet, how comforting the promise," 
is his language to Dr. Livingston, " tliat he will not for- 
sake his people. Let us believe, trust, and pray for 
grace, to be made faithful to our God unto death." 
And that event for which he was so fully prepared was 
not far off. His work was now done, and the Master 



78 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

was waiting to receive liini. He resigned tlie presi- 
dency of the college in tlie summer, and died quite 
unexpectedly on the 20tli of October, 1790, in the fifty- 
third year of his ao^e. His tomb stands at the east of 
the pulpit, and the inscription, prej^ared, as we un- 
derstand by Dr. Livingston, though nearly erased by 
the action of the elements, gives a most admirable 
exhibition of his character.* 

His call to the presidency of the college shows the 
estimation in which he was held as a scholar and disci- 
plinarian, as Avell as a divine. His analyses of sermons 
speak for both the vigor of his intellect and the thor- 
ouo-hness of his theolooical education. He was a man 
of strong mind and extensive reading, and in his day 
was justly regarded as one of. the pillars of the Re- 
formed Dutch Church. On four different occasions he 
was chosen President of General Synod, and he was 
long regarded as second only to Dr. Livingston, with 
whom he constantly cooperated in all the interests of 
the church and the colleire. He labored for the estab- 
lishment of this institution, and by personal applications 
from door to door, along with Dominie Leyclt, procured 
the orio'inal funds for its endowment. Several memo- 
rials to the General Synod urging the claims of the 
college, written by him, are still preserved, and bear 
witness to the zeal with which he advocated the claims, 

* Here lies the body of J. R. Hardenbergh, D.D., late pastor of this 
church, who departed this life the 30th day of October, 1790, aged fifty- 
two years, months, and days. He was a zealous preacher of the 

Gospel, and his life and conversation afforded, from his earliest days, to all 
who knew him, a bright example of real piety. He was a steady patriot, 
and in his public and private conduct he manifested himself to be the ene- 
my of tyranny and oppression, the lover of freedom, and the friend of his 
country. He has gone to his Lord and Redeemer, in whose atonement he 
confidently trusted. He has gone to receive the fruits of his fiiithful labors, 
and the reward of a well-spent life. Reader, while you lament the loss to 
society and his friends, go walk in his virtuous footsteps ; and when you have 
finished the work assigned you, you shall rest with him in eternal peace. 



HISTOEICAL DISCOUKSE. 79 

md the aifectlon Avlncli he felt for an institution to 
tvhich he had devoted his best energies. His last 
public act was a plea before the Synod, at their meet- 
ing in New- York, October 5th, 1790, that they would 
provide means to sustain the college and furnish the 
3arly succor so greatly needed. As its first President, 
be labored under the disadvantages of a small endow- 
ment, few assistants in giving instruction, and the want 
3f proper facilities in the way of library, buildings, and 
apparatus. But he sent out several able scholars, and 
laid foundations which have made this cherished seat 
of learning one of the prominent institutions of our 
land. 

As the pastor of this church he had a very successful 
ministry. On two different occasions there was the un- 
usual manifestation of God's Spirit in the conversion 
of souls. The whole number received into the church 
during the four years of his pastorate M^as sixty-nine. 
At his first communion he admitted fifteen on profes- 
sion of their faith, and in the year 1788 twenty -seven 
were added to the church. Indeed, his whole ministry 
seems to have been a continual revival, a most blessed 
close to a most useful and laborious life. He was re- 
membered by a few of the aged inhabitants when I 
first settled here, and it would seem that they were not 
able to speak sufficiently in his praise. He was elo- 
quent in the pulpit, and impressed every one with his 
tone of devotional feeling — a minister eminently be- 
loved by all who knew him. 

Dr. Hardenbergh was the last minister ot this church 
who preached in the Dutch language. His plan was 
to use the Dutch at the morning service and the Eng- 
lish in the afternoon. From this date all the records of 
the church are kept wholly in English, and the Dutch 
passed away forever. 



80 HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

On liis settlement at Raritan Le married the widow 
of his preceptor, Rev. John Frelinghuysen, to whose 
influence he was indebted, in no small degree, for his 
eminent usefulness. The character which she has left 
behind her, under the familiar name of the Jufvrow 
Hardenbergh, distinguishes her as one of the most re- 
markable women of her day. Dinah Van Berg was 
born in the city of Amsterdam, February 10th, 1725. 
Pier father was a wealthy merchant, extensively en- 
gaged in the East India trade, who reared his family in 
the midst of all the fashion and reiinement of the me- 
troplis, but w^ithout any instruction in religion. She 
became the subject of divine grace in early youth, and 
was remarkable for her rapid attainments in godliness 
and unusual exercises of faith. Her naturally strong 
intellect was developed by her early education, and the 
vigor of her mind was seen even down to the period of 
old age. While still residing in her father's house, her 
attainments in the I'eligious life were so marked and 
decided as to arrest attention from all who knew her. 
It is related that on the occasion of her prostration by 
sickness, though the prospect of her recovery was re- 
garded as hopeless by the most skillful physician, yet 
she had such faith in God that he would raise her up, 
and give her a woi'k to do in the church, that she fixed 
upon the very day when the progress of the disease 
would be arrested and her health comj)letely restored. 
And almost at the hour indicated she started in a 
course of rapid improvement, and it was always be- 
lieved by her that God had spared her life in answer 
to special prayer. 

She became acquainted with Mr. John Frelinghuysen, 
then pursuing his theological studies, during this very 
sickness ; and shortly after, though at first strongly op- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 81 

posed by lier parents, she was united with liini in mar- 
riage, and embarked for her home in America. The 
death of her husband, in the twenty -fifth year of his 
a2:e, brouirht her to the decision of returnino; immedi- 
ately to her native country. She was upon the point 
of embarking with her two chikb-en on the voyage to 
Iloband, vv'hen Mr. Ilardenbergh, who had not yet 
completed his studies, made her an offer of marriage. 
Her surprise was indicated l^y the answer, " My child, 
what are you thinking about ?" Yielding to the soli- 
citation, she consented to a second marriage, with this 
young man, who became, as we have seen, a distin- 
guished scholar and divine, and was, no doubt, a most 
efficient co-worker with him in the important services 
he rendered to his country and the church. 

She was a woman of great intelligence as well as of 
piety, an extensive reader and correspondent, and her 
influence w\as felt throughout the whole denomination. 
For a considerable period she kept an elaborate jour- 
nal, still preserved, which is said to be superior for its 
tone of spirituality and of great intellectual vigor. 
Thus she commences: "It was the beginning of the 
year 1747; midnight had arrived and passed, and I 
continued in earnest su2')plication l^efore the Lord, 
yielding myself anew to walk in his ways, to be en- 
gaged in his service, and to cleave to his people. My 
heart went forth in earnest desires after larger measures 
of the renewing grace of the Holy Ghost. Oh ! that old 
things might be made more fally to pass away, the 
power of depravity be brought into subjection, and the 
blessed image of the Lord Jesus be more ftdly trans- 
ferred to me, and all things become new. My soul 
arose in petitions to God for the dear people of the 
Lord, both at my own place at Amsterdam and else* 

6 



82 HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 

where, that God would grant them a renewal of his 
loviuQ-'kindness and laro;er measures of faith. Oh ! 
that the Lord would bi'ing many of the people out of 
their distresses ; that a formal Christianity might pass 
away, and the power of godliness be made again to 
appear. For God's ministering servants I also found 
in my heart to supplicate much assistance in their 
weighty work, that they might be more and more 
faithful, and firm in their attachment to the cause, 
truth, and people of God, and be enabled by a con- 
sistent and godly walk to be examples to the flock." 

The following devout exercises on her birthday are 
recorded in her journal : " Friday, February 10th, 1747, 
I was twenty-two years old. I awoke with these words 
upon my mouth, ' I was cast upon Thee.' My thoughts 
became fixed in intent coutemj^lation upon the wonder- 
ful dealino-s of God with me even from the first mo- 
ments of my existence, and I was led to sa}^, ' Many are 
thy wonderful works towards me.' I was led in de- 
vout meditation upon the preserving care of God over 
me, and the wonderful deliverance I had experienced ; 
upon his bounty to me as to the things of this world ; 
bnt especially upon the dealings of his grace that i7i 
my youth he was j)leased to draw me out of the midst 
of the evil world. I now earnestly desire more en- 
tirely to consecrate myself unto God, and to yield to 
him the best of my time and strength." The whole 
journal is pervaded with a similar spirit, and exhibits 
a mind in direct and habitual communion with God. 

Mrs. Hardenbergh has left at her first home in Rari- 
tan, as well as in New-Brunswick, a name which j^laces 
her in the highest rank of female Christians. In this 
city she was a most efiicient aid to her husband in the 
discharge of his various duties. She visited the sick, 



HISTORICAL DISCOUKSE. 83 

attended to the necessities of the poor, and was a com- 
forter in homes of affliction. The two services on the 
Sabbath were held with an intermission of one hour, 
during which time the country members of the congre- 
gation would remain until the afternoon sermon. Juf- 
vrow Hardenbergh employed the interval in j^ious con- 
versation with the people, and, gathering around her a 
group of hearers, would frequently enter into an elabo- 
rate exposition of some point in Christian doctrine or 
passage of Scripture. She was a warm friend of the 
college, and on the death of her husband was anxious 
that a successor should be immediately appointed, and 
the institution fostered and built up. There is in ex- 
istence a letter written to Dr. Livingston, July 2d, 
1791, in which she pleads earnestly with him to accept 
the position of president, to which he had been elected, 
and remove to New-Brunswick. New-York could 
spare him in view of this more pressing call. She 
writes : " There are more hopes that that breach would 
be healed than the one amono; us. Where is there a 
man for us ? Our Dutch ministers are young men of 
little experience, and have no publicity in the church, 
however much otherwise esteemed and loved by us. 
My dear sir, I have heard you say to my now departed 
liusband that you regarded the college as the fountain 
Df the cluu'ch ; why, then, be engaged with the streams, 
and let the fountain dry up? The Lord enable you to 
discern what is His holy will ; and, if you can do 
nothing more, oh ! i:»ray for us, and by your counsel 
and cooperation be to us instead of eyes." She had 
just been permitted to partake of the Lord's Supper in 
this church, and she assures Dr. Livingston that the 
Saviour never seemed to her more precious. " This pre- 
cious Lord Jesus will be our joy in heaven. Oh ! the 



84: HISTORICAL DISCOUKSE. 

hlessedness of being ^^^rinitted to cast our crowns for- 
ever before him." 

This remarkable woman survived her husband seven- 
teen years, and died at the residence of her son, Hon. 
J. R. Hardenbergh, No. 14 Water street, March 26th, 
1807. She had attained the venerable age of eighty- 
two years, and her death was a scene of triumph. She 
rests by the side of her husband, " of high attainments 
here in grace, now resting in glory." The following 
verse, of great poetic beauty, very appropriately testi- 
fies to her exalted attainments, and is engraved upon 
her tomb-stone : 

" Tell how she climbed the everlasting hills, 
Surveying all the realms above ; 
Borne ou a strong-winged fiiith, and on 
The fiery wheels of an immortal love." 

The children of her first marria2:e were a dau2:hter, 
Eva, ^vho became the wife of Mr. Casper Van Nostrand, 
of Ulster county, N. Y., where several of her descend- 
ants are still living ; and Frederick, the father of the 
late Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen. All who bear this 
honored name in our section of country are the de- 
scendants of Frederick, the only son of Rev. John Fre- 
linghuysen, of Raritan. 

At the close of Mr. Hardenbergh's ministry, the 
•church was in a settled, j)rosperous, and harmonious 
<3ondition. They had enjoyed only for a short time the 
labors of this devoted man, but they had been years of 
growth and improvement in every department of church, 
life. His ripest views of truth he had here preached, 
his fervent appeals and instructions had been blessed 
by encouraging ingatherings, and the tenderness of his 
spirit, disciplined by affliction, had left its imj^ress on 
all hearts. It is said that the day of his funeral was 



IlISTOEICAL DISCOUr,SE. 85 

one of great solemnity. He liacl been a man of distinc- 
tion in civil life, as well as in ecclesiastical and educa- 
tional interests. An active member of the convention 
that framed the first constitution of New-Jersey, a 
j)atriot whose life, often threatened by his tory neigh- 
bors, had compelled him to sleep with a loaded musket 
at his bed-side, caused the whole community to recog- 
nize in his death the loss of one of their most distin- 
guished citizens, as well as a great divine. 

As soon as the church could recover from the pain 
of their loss, they sought for a suitable successor, but 
were subjected to repeated disappointments. It was 
again proposed that the Consistory of the church should 
call as their pastor, and the trustees of the college should 
elect as their president, one who should discharge the 
duties of botli offices. Under this arrangement Dr. 
Livingston was elected, but declined ; so also did Dr. 
Theodoric Romeyn. In the mean while the college con- 
tinued to languish, until the year 1795, when its doors 
were closed, not to be opened until its revival under 
the efficient management of the succeeding 2:)astor of 
this church, in 1S07. Two years were consumed in 
these negotiations, and now the churcli enters upon the 
work alone, and in earnest. 

An effort was made to settle Rev. John Bassett in 
October, 1792, then pastor of the church of Albany, l3ut 
without success. So ur2:ent was the conQ-rescation that 
the effort ^vas renewed, witli the promise of a large ad- 
dition to the salary, but witk a similar result. The 
pulpit remained vacant until quite late in the year 
1793. In the early part of the summer of that year, 
a man in the prime of life preached in the Presbyterian 
church, ^vitli whom oiu- people were so well pleased 
that they invited him to remain and suj)ply their i3ulpit 



86 HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

the following Sabbatb. The result was a unanimous 
call, August 24th, 1793, to the fourth pastor, 

EEV. IRA CONDICT, D.D. 

He was born at Orange, Essex county, Februaiy 
21st, 1764. He received his academic instruction under 
Dr. McWhorter, of Newark, and became a student of 
Princeton College. He became a subject of grace while 
a member of college, and immediately devoted himself 
to the gospel ministry. It is said that he cherished a 
desire for the ministry from his youth, and w^as accus- 
tomed to view every Providence as j^ointing toward 
the sacred office. While a member of college, he took 
a very high stand as a scholar, and was particularly 
distinguished for his accuracy in the classics. He gra- 
duated from that institution in the year 1784, under the 
presidency of the celebrated Dr. John Witherspoon. 
His theological studies he pursued under the direction 
of Dr. Woodhull, of Monmouth, and was licensed by 
the Presbytery of New-Brunswick in 1786. April 20tb, 
1787, he was called to the united congregations of 
Newtown and Hardwick, in Sussex county, and imme- 
diately entered uj^on the field of his labors. Here he 
found a wide and destitute region, demanding great 
energy of character and powers of endurance. Within 
the compass of his old pastoral charge now exist several 
flourishing Presbyterian churches, as also of other de- 
nominations. His ministry continued at this place for 
six years, and he left there the impress of his noble 
character. He was aided and encouraged by a most 
excellent wife, whom many of you will remember as 
" highly gifted in intellectual and s^Diritual graces," and 
whose mind retained all of its vigor in the midst of 
protracted sufferings. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 8< 

In Dr. Condicfc's call it is stipulated that tlie services 
are to be conducted in the English language, and that 
he should preach two sermons in summer and one 
during the winter months. He was also to hold regu- 
lar services " on the instituted feast-days of Christmas, 
New- Year, Easter, Whitsunday, and Ascension day, ac- 
cording to the custom of the church." The salary pro- 
mised was £180, and a comfortable dwelling-house. 
The names of the followino: officers are attached to the 
call : John Schureman, John Van Neste, William Van 
Deursen, Garret Voorhees, elders; Fredrick Outcalt, 
John Thompson, Denice Vanliew, and John Bice, dea- 
cons. The original subscription-paper is still preserved, 
headed by the name of John Schureman, the son of the 
school-master. On the list we find, in a large bold 
hand, the signature of Dinah Hardenbergh, a ruling 
power in the church, as we have seen ; as also that of 
John Neilson, a Presbyterian, -whose wife, Catharine 
Voorhees, always retained her connection with the 
Dutch Church. 

Dr. Condict did not commence his regular duties as 
the pastor of the church until the first of November. 
The extent of the congregation at the commencement of 
his ministry Avill give some idea of the amount of labor 
that he performed. In addition to the town charge, 
the families extended north to Boundbrook, and on the 
opposite side of the Baritan to New-Market, south 
alono;; Geortre's road five miles, and down to South 
river, and west two miles beyond the present site of 
the Middlebush church. 

The first act of the Consistory was to j)rocure a suit- 
able residence for the minister. For a few months Mr. 
Condict lived in Neil son street, now number eight, in a 
house rented of William Lawson, at the rate of £37 



SS IIISTOEICAL DISCOUKSE. 

lOs.'per annum. When the churches of New-Bruns- 
wick and Six Mile Eun were in connection, they owned 
a parsonage at Three Mile Run. On the deatli of Mr. 
Leydt, this property was sold to Mr. Jacolo Skillman, 
and the portion that fell to the share of this church, 
£195 8s. 4d., was appropriated to tlie purchase of seven- 
teen acres of land on George's road, now in possession 
of Mr. Edwin Allen, at a cost of <£200, and also a house 
and lot in Church street, now number sixty-two, of 
John Bray. The building was in an unfinished state, 
and cost, with the repairs, made under the direction of 
the Consistory, £475 lis. Gd. Here Dr. Coudict resided 
until his removal, in 1798, to a farm of one hundred 
and thirteen acres, near Milltown, now the proj^erty of 
Mr. Henry H. Booram, but which is still known as the 
Condict farm.'"" The situation was distant and incon- 
venient; but that the chiu'ch did not suffer in conse- 
quence of his residence so far from the centre is evident 
from its steady growth, demanding additional church 
accommodations, which was accomplished in 1803 by 
the erection of commodious galleries, and by the ad- 
vance of his salary from £180 to £280, in connection 
with a commodious parsonage. 

While there does not seem to have been any remark- 
able season of revival under his ministry, yet there was 
a gradual increase to the membership of the church, 

'" Dr. Condict purchased a property in Church street, number seventy- 
four, to which he removed in the spring of 1794, and resided there until the 
parsonage was completed. This house was sold by his widow a few years 
after his death. The parsonage remained in the liands of the Consistory 
until 1801), when it was sold to Mr. Ilenr}'^ Van Arsdalen. The seventeen 
acres in George's road were sold about the same time, and a property of 
four or five acres purchased on Somerset and Hamilton streets, known in 
subsequent transactions of Consistory as "the parsonage lot." In the 
speculation in city lots which prevailed in this town in the year 1814, a 
part of this ground was surveyed, laid out into squares, and sold at high 
prices ; but parties who purchased failed, and very little was ever realized 
for a property which is now of great value. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 89 

and it is a gratifying' record that no communion season 
passed without the addition of some new members.* 
Among this number there were three young men who 
subsequently entered the gospel ministry, and occupied 
distinguished positions in the church, John Schureman, 
John S. Vredenbergh, and Kobert Bronk. 

Dr. Condict was one of the most efficient pastors 
whom this church has enjoyed. While he was practical 
and earnest as a preacher, and always came into the 
pulpit with a well-prepared discourse, among the fami- 
lies of his charge he excelled. In catechising, pastoral 
visitation, and labors among the poor he had not his 
superior. He was remarkably punctual in all his en- 
gagements, and in his most distant preaching places he 
was found at the hour ready to commence the services. 
"While he has left behind him a character for remarka- 
ble gravity in his deportment, and was subject to occa- 
sional moods of desjoondency, yet he was gifted with 
fine conversational powers, and frequently, in social 
intercourse with his people, he would throw off all re- 
serve and exhibit a mind full of vivacity. As a mem- 
ber of church judicatories he vras active, and always 
took a prominent part in debate. The General Synod 
of our church elected him their President at their meet- 
ing in Albany, in June, 1800. It is said that his assist- 
ance was greatly sought after by congregations who 
were vacant, and his judicious counsels often led to 
the amicable adjustment of difficulties which were be- 
ginning to assume formidable proportions. 

He gained a very just popularity for his learning, and 
while he was laborious as a pastor he did not neglect 
his study. The minute of Classis, referred to by Mr. 

*For a list of church members made at the commencement of his minis- 
try, see Appendix IV. 



90 HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

Corwin, in reference to the necessary suspension of the 
strict examination of students on the removal of Dr. 
Condict by death, while " not very complimentary to 
the survivors," at the same time exhibits the estimation 
in which he was held as a scholar. 

Intimately connected with the history of our church, 
at the period now under review, are connected the re- 
moval of the Theological Seminary to this city and the 
reoro-anization of the Collesre. In addition to his labors 
as the pastor of the church. Dr. Condict took a deep 
interest in these institutions, and, as a trustee of Queen's 
College, by his personal exertions was mainly instru- 
mental in its partial revival in 1807. An endowment 
of twenty thousand dollars was secured, and when it 
again went into operation, after having been suspended 
for twelve years, he was chosen Vice-President and 
Professor of Moral Philosophy. The building in which 
the exercises were held stood near the site of the Sec- 
ond Presbyterian Church, afterward removed to Schure- 
raan street, and is now known as the Lancasterian 
School. The college owned two acres of land lying 
west of our old burying-ground, which property was 
afterward sold and the funds invested in the erection 
of the present edifice, the foundation of which was laid 
in 1809, Dr. Condict had removed about the year 
1805 from Milltown, and resided during^ the remainder 
of his pastorate at No. 32 Water street. The number 
of students Avas very encouraging, and for the measure 
of success which this institution then enjoyed it is in- 
debted largely to the personal labor and sacrifice of the 
pastor of this church. When the history of this insti- 
tution shall be written, it will be found that to him 
more than to any other man is she indebted for this 
noble building, standing in its beautiful location as an 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 91 

ornament to our city. He was mainly instrumental in 
securing from Mr. James Parker, by gift, the lot on 
wliicli it stands. The first subscrii^tion j^aper for the 
edifice was drawn up by his own hand, and by great 
perseverance lie overcame all the obstacles thrown ii'x 
his way, and some time before his death he had the 
satisfaction of seeing the building rise in its fine pro- 
portions, and his efl:brts crowned with complete success. 
The first commencement, under this new impulse, y/as 
held in October, 1809, in the old stone church; and in 
the class of five graduates three were young men of this 
congregation — Cornelius L. Hardenbergh, the grand- 
son of the former pastor, J. M. Van Harlingen, and the 
valedictorian of the day. Dr. William Van Deursen, 
who is present with us on this occasion with a memory 
reaching back to the college scenes of fifty-eight years 
ago. 

Connected with the revival of the College, and as a 
part of the plan, was the removal of the Theological 
Seminary to this city, in the year 1810, at which time 
that distinguished professor, Dr. John H. Livingston, 
took up his residence here, assuming at the same time 
the Presidency of the College. It is to the honor of 
our denomination that she ors^anized the first Theolos^i- 
cal Institution in our land. Dr. Livingston receiving his 
appointment as early as 1784. But it was not until 
the year 1810 that the Seminary, on its j^ermanent es- 
tablishment in this city, started on a career of prosper- 
ity Avhich has made it a fountain of life for the church 
and the world. The institution prospered greatly lui- 
der the labors of that venerable man, whom the church 
delighted to honor. One hundred and twenty young 
men enjoyed the benefit of his instructions in their pre- 
paration for the ministry. And it would hardly be 



93 IIISTOrJCAL DISCOURSE. 

possible to set boundaries to the sphere of liis influence. 
The Seminary in his day had its discouragements and 
trials ; but it has passed through them all, and with the 
advance of years it is more than ever imbedded in the 
affections of the whole church. 

Dr. Condict was greatly favored during the whole 
period of his ministry in the character of those Vv^ho 
labored with him in the Gospel, both in the city and 
surrounding country. In the Presbyterian church he 
w'as associated with Dr. Joseph Clark, (I7d1 to 1813,) 
a man of eminent ability, remarkably dignified in his 
appearance, and greatly esteemed by the peoj^le. His 
sudden death created a great sensation through the 
town. The text for his Sabbath mornino; discourse 
was, "The time is short," and on the following Tues- 
day, retiring to rest with ordinary health, he Avas ar- 
rested by the hand of death some time before the dawn 
of morning. In the Episcopal church we find tlie Rev. 
John Croes, (1801 to 1832,) afterward the Bishop of 
New-Jersey, characterized as " the watchful pastor, the 
instructive preacher, the thoughtful writer, the sound, 
well-read divine." Of the ministers of our own denom- 
ination, in the churches surrounding New-Brunswick, 
we have, at Six Mile Run and Hillsborough, (179G to 
1807,) a young man of great promise, and afterward of 
great distinction. Rev. James S. Cannon. At the old 
church of Mr. Frelinghuysen, at North-Branch, Rev. 
Dr. Peter Studiford (1787 to 1826) labored with all 
his strength imtil God called him home. At Raritan 
we have Rev. John S. Vredenbergh, (1800 to 1821,) 
one of the gifted young men of our own church, the 
son of a prominent elder, whom Dr. Condict had him- 
self received into her communion, and whom he re- 
joiced over as his spiritual offspring. And Rev. William 



IIISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 93 

R Smith, (1794 to 1817,) with his colleague, Eev. 
Henry Polhenius, at Neshanic and Harlingen, fills up 
the catalogue of those who labored with him in the 
Gospel throughout this region. 

Under the efficient labors of Dr. Condict the church 
steadily increased in strength, and with the growth of 
the population enlarged accommodations were again 
demanded. For two years the question was agitated 
of enlarging the old building, or of constructing a new 
edifice. After discussing various plans, the project of a 
new building was finally adopted with great harmon}-. 
An efficient building committee was appointed March 
11th, 1811, consisting of Matthew Egerton, Staats Van 
Deursen, John Clark, John D. Van Liew, and Michael 
Garrish. The arrangements Avere all completed, con- 
tracts were entered into with builders, and the work 
was going forward in a spirit of harmony which sel- 
dom marks such undertakins-s, when a sudden cloud 
rested upon the whole enterprise in the unexpected 
death of the beloved Condict. 

The old stone church in which your fathers vror- 
shiped for nearly fifty years, and Avhich, though un- 
adorned, had connected with it so many precious associa- 
tions, was to be occupied for the last time on Sabbath, 
May 20th. On the following morning the work of 
demolition was to commence preparatory to rebuilding. 
In the Providence of God this was also to be the last 
sermon whick Dr. Condict was to preach previous to his 
departure. As if in anticipation of what was to take 
place, he took for his text this striking j^assage of Scrip- 
ture from Dent. 4: 22, 23: "But I must die in this 
land, I must not go over Jordan : but ye shall go over, 
and possess that good land. Take heed unto your- 
selves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your 



94: mSTORlCAL DISCOURSE. 

God, wliicli lie made witli yoii, and make you a graven 
image, or tlie likeness of any tiling, wliieli the Lord tliy 
God liatli forbidden tliee." He dwelt ^vitll particular 
emphasis upon keeping God's covenant, and the touch 
ing allusions -which he made to the old sanctuary made 
the house a scene of weeping. 

On Monday the workmen commenced ; the bell was 
taken down from the tower and the pews removed, 
when on Friday the word was circulated that Dr. Con- 
diet was confined to his house by sickness. The Sab- 
bath came, and he was unable to meet his people. 
During the early part of the Aveek there were hopes of 
his recovery, but all expectation was removed as early 
as Wednesday, when the announcement was made that 
he would not probably recover. Dr. Thomas De Witt, 
who was residing in his family pursuing his studies in 
the Seminary, has left us in manuscript a record of the 
closina: scene. 

The disease wliicli terminated in his deatli was very 
violent from its commencement, and Dr. Condict him- 
self thought that it would prove fatal. While he mani- 
fested the o-reatest resiirnation durino; the wliole of his 
sickness, toward the close his faith, amounted to rapture. 
Dr. Livingston visited him daily, and these two godly 
men, the one on the bed of death, tlie other in the rijDO 
experience of age, held sucli conversation as we may 
suppose that the saints in glory enjoy. In the early 
stages of the disease, lie was exposed, to great spiritual 
conflicts and distress. To tke venerable professor he 
remarked : " I have been mucli harassed and disturbed ; 
still I hope." When the reply was made that it was a 
precious exercise of faith simply to wait ujoon the Lord 
and leave tlie event witli him, he answered : "It is so, 
but Jesus must give the grace." And that grace the 




■"^Ss^"^ 



REFOKMED DUTril CHURCH, NEW-BRUNSWICK, N. J. 
Krfctf.d 1TC7. Takrn down- isll. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 95 

Saviour did bestow. On "Wednesday, (lie died on 
Saturday after suffering great bodily pain,) lie said: 
" How o'ood is tlie Lord to rae in the midst of affliction. 
I can say, I have waited for thy salvatiou, O Lord ; it 
is a precious salvation." 

On Thursday evening, as if in profound meditation, 
he used this language : " I know Christ died for, I 
know he can keep, and will keep what I have com- 
mitted to him. It is done, it is all sealed^ Observing 
some one at his bed-side, he added : " Ah ! I am talk- 
in o;." 

During the whole of Friday night his death was an- 
ticipated at any moment. At one o'clock he arose in 
his bed and spoke in these words : " The main question 
with us all is, whether we are willing and ready to die. 
It is now ascertained to a certainty that I must die. I 
trust that I am sincerely Avilling to die. Heavenly 
Father ! into thy hands I commit my spirit, and I pray 
for that grace for vvhicli I have often prayed to supj^ort 
me in the trials and agonies which now await me." 
After a few minutes of rest, he called around him his 
family for the farewell blessing. The scene was like 
that of Jacob parting with his children. To his son 
Harrison, a young man of great 23romise who soon fol- 
lowed his father, he said : "My son, I must leave yon. 
Hitherto I have been your teacher, at best an imperfect 
one. You shall no more have my instructions; but there 
is the word of God, which has an abundance of know- 
ledge and grace. The Lord has given to you reason, 
and the capacity for knowing and loving him. Let that 
word be your instructor, and you will experience riches 
of grace." " Fear not," he said to his wife ; " you have 
special promises. As for our children, you know I 
have often committed them to God." To one of the 



96 HISTOIIICAL DISCOURSE. 

elders of the cliiirch lie spoke words of counsel and en- 
couragement, and sent to Lis flock a message of great 
tenderness, pointing them to the heavenly Shepherd 
now as they were to be left destitute. He is now at 
the closing moment ; his work is done, and he is wait- 
ing for the Lord to call him. 

Just before his departure occurred a most remarka- 
ble scene, equaling any thing in the exjoerience of God's 
peoj)le. Dr. Thomas De Witt has given us this record : 
" When to all appearance he was near his end, to our 
wonder and satisfaction he arose in his bed, observed 
the great necessity of prayer, and that finding the 
house of death a solemn one, requested those who were 
present to join with him. He then made a most pow- 
erful, solemn, and connected prayer of about four min- 
utes. What appeared surprising was that in his fee- 
ble condition he was enabled to speak so long without 
interruption. It appeared as if the Lord had given him 
special strength." 

He died on Saturday, June 1st, 1811, at eleven o'clock. 
Thus departed, in the triumph of faith, the beloved Con- 
diet. The next Sabbath was a gloomy one in the city. 
Many of the people from the country came, expecting 
to hear him preach, and were startled with the intelli- 
jxence of his death. His funeral was attended from his 
residence in Water street. Dr. Livingston making the 
address, and the clergy of the city acting as pall-bear- 
ers. The bell of the Episcopal church was tolled 
during the services, and all the places of business in 
the city were closed. When arrived at the grave, it 
seemed as if the whole population of New-Brunswick 
and surrounding country was crowded into the inclo- 
sure. A few w^ords were again spoken by the venera- 
ble Professor to the weeping people, and beneath the 



.^.^ 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 97 

walls of the old cliurch in wliicli lie Lad preached for 
seventeen years, now in process of demolition, lie was 
buried. To the left of the j)ulpit, not far from the 
grave of his predecessor. Dr. Jacob E. Hardenbergh, 
will be seen the monument erected by the congregation 
to the memory of one of their most devoted ministers. 

He is represented to have been a tall, muscular man, 
with black hair, of prominent features, very grave in 
his deportment, and a man of undoubted piety. It is 
not probable that in the whole list of pastors there 
was one more affectionately regarded than the man 
whom every one esteemed as the " beloved Condict." 
He seemed to walk these streets as a stranger, and any 
one who saw him would be impressed with his striking 
countenance and demeanor. Some of you will remem- 
ber his sedateness of appearance, and not one who ever 
heard him in prayer Avill forget the unction and spiritu- 
ality of his devotions. In social intercourse he was 
affable, cheerful, and gave to every one the impression 
that he had a warm and affectionate heart. He was 
honored and welcomed beyond the limits of his o^vn 
extensive charge. Other societies recognized in him a 
true-hearted minister of Christ, and among the people 
in city and country he had hosts of friends. With Dr. 
Clark he was on terms of particular intimacy, frequently 
exchanging pulpits and visits, and forming united plans 
for systematic labor. In his arrangements he was exact, 
and had for every de23artment of labor a fixed time and 
method. No man could have accomplished more than 
he did, and the secret of his efficiency lay in the wisdom 
of his plans. Public institutions honored themselves 
by placing his name on their catalogues. The corpora- 
tion of Princeton College elected him a member of their 
Y 



98 HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 

board iu 1804, Laving previously bestowed upon him 
the title of Doctor of Divinity. 

As a preacher he was always excellent, dwelling 
with particular emphasis upon God's covenant. In- 
deed, this was liis life-work, for he felt that God had 
set him apart in order that he might preach the Gospel. 
Althouo-h the hand of death has removed almost the 
entire number of those who sat under his ministry, yet 
I am happy to have rescued sufficient facts to recall, in 
part at least, a just portrait of the man. He wore in 
the pulpit the gown and cassock, and his very appear- 
ance was dignified and solemn ; not a solemnity that 
repelled, but which was becoming in a minister of the 
Gospel. He distrusted very much his own abilities, 
and was occasionally depressed in mind to such a degree 
that he felt scarcely fitted to enter the pulpit. He 
would often stop, on his way up the aisle of the churcli, 
at the pew of Jufvrow Hardenbergh, for a word of com- 
fort or encouragement, which she was always sure to 
have ready for him. It would not be correct to affirm of 
him that he was gifted with the power of oratory, for 
this he did not possess ; nor with any singular original- 
ity of thought or forms of expression, for this he did not 
cultivate or covet ; nor with any brilliancy of imagina- 
tion and vivid paintings of truth, for he was too intent 
upon the single j)"urpose of preaching Christ to be led 
away by any outward display. His strength lay rather 
in his powerful conviction of the truth which he 
preached; in his intense earnestness of soul, driving 
him on as if he liad a great work to do for his Master; 
in his deep sympathy with his hearers, which wrought 
within all souls the conviction that he sought their 
good ; in a life so consistent that he had not to over- 
come any unfavorable prejudice, for they felt that he 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 99 

was speaking out of an honest heart ; and in a single- 
ness of aim which held him in close contact with the 
cross. The death of a lovely daughter, Ruth, in the 
opening flower of her beauty, struck all hearts with 
great surprise and sorrow, affected him very deeply, 
and it is said that he went into the pulpit on the fol- 
lowing Sabbath and delivered a most tender, earnest, 
and jiowerfid message from God to the young, and 
ever afterward his soul more than ever seemed to be 
given to the cause of Christ. 

He had a great aversion to appear in print, and 
although he Avas frequently recpiested to give his ser- 
mons to the Consistory for publication, yet he uni- 
formly declined so doing. The only production of his 
pen that I have seen is a sermon preached before our 
citizens on the occasion of the death of George Wash- 
ington, by the invitation of the Mayor and Common 
Council, and published under their direction. If this 
is a specimen of his j^ulpit abilities, we can readily 
account for his extensive popularity. I am pleased to 
add a few sentences from the short obituary notice 
^vhich appeared in the Guardian, or New-Brimswick 
Advertiser, the week succeeding his death : '' He was 
learned and pious, Avith a discriminating mind and 
sound judgment. He believed the doctrines of grace, 
and preached them with precision and zeal. Amiable 
in his temper, humble, prudent, and without guile in 
his conversation, he gained the love and possessed the 
confidence of all who knew him. His time and talents 
were devoted to the cause of the Divine Redeemer, and 
his exertions in preaching, visiting, and catechising, 
througliout his extensive parochial districts, were ar- 
duous and unremitted. Dr. Condict was also Vice- 
President of Queen's College, and had, besides other 



100 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

academical duties, tlie principal charge of the senior 
class. The labors attached to this station, in addition 
to his ministerial cares, proved too severe ; they gradu- 
ally exhausted his strength, and a severe attack of 
pneumonia terminated in the death of one of the iii'st 
characters in the church." He died in the forty-eighth 
year of his age, and in the twenty-fifth of his ministry, 
seventeen of which had been given to this congregation. 
His son, Daniel Harrison, whom he addressed so affec- 
tionately on his death-bed, soon followed his father, 
dying August 28 th, and was buried by the side of his 
honored parent. His beloved wife, after surviving her 
husband many years, a woman of sweet and amiable 
temper, and of an intelligent piety, was l)rought from 
the residence of her daughter in Newark, and " laid in 
the sepulchre in the full exercise of a holy faith that 
she would rise again." 

The churcli had now been in existence ninety-four 
years, and Dr. Condict was the fourth pastor. They 
had all died while ministers of this church, and their 
graves are with us unto this day, a beautiful exhibition 
of the permanence of the pastoral relation, and of the 
affection existing between minister and people. 

The church at this date Avas very much disheartened ; 
with the loss of their pastor in the midst of rebuilding 
their church edifice, they felt that all was gone. But 
Dr. Livingston, by his counsel and encouragement, gave 
them new strength. He visited the sick, occupied the 
pulpit of the Presbyterian church at the service of this 
congregation in the afternoon, and stood in the place of 
a pastor for nearly two years. In the mean time the 
work of building went on, the princi]3al amount of the 
labor falling upon two members of the committee, John 
Clark and Staats Van Deursen. The corner-stone was 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 101 

laid with appropriate ceremonies July 6th, 1811. The 
building was completed and occujDied for the first time 
September 27th, 1812. The dedication sermon was 
preached by Dr. Livingston, from Ezekiel 43:12: " This 
is the law of the house : Upon the top of the mountain 
the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. 
Behold, this is the law of the house." The pews were 
sold on the fifth of the following January. So satisfac- 
tory was the whole arrangement, and with such care 
were the funds managed, that, on the final report of the 
committee to Consistory, they gave over the building 
into their hands free of debt, and, out of compliment, 
were presented with one of the square pews. The cost 
of the building was $16,415. The edifice was at that 
tinae one of the largest in the State, and is now the 
most commodious house of worship in the city. Its 
dimensions are ninety-four feet in length, including the 
tower, which projects four feet, and sixty-six feet in 
breadth, and will comfortably seat eleven hundred wor- 
shipers. This building will always attract attention, 
on account of its noble proportions and commanding 
situation, as well as from the interesting associations 
which it awakens. Since its erection, all the Presidents 
of our College have here been inaugurated, and the 
Professors of our Seminary, with only a single excep- 
tion, have here been inducted into ofiice. Until re- 
cently all the commencement exercises have been Jield 
in this edifice, and hundreds of young men have looked 
upon it as the scene of their collegiate honors. It has 
stood for more than half a century in its massive pro 
portions, testifj^ing to the integrity of the builders and 
the watchfulness of the committee. It has been t^dce 
remodeled — in 1847, by lowering the galleries, and erect- 
ing a new pulpit, and in 1862 by reseating and furnish 
ing the entire edifice. 



102 HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 

But, while the work of building was going on, the 
Consistory was not negligent of the great want of thie 
church — a pastor. Negotiations were carried on witli 
the trustees for two years to settle two ministers, who 
should hold the joint pastorate of the church and pro- 
fessorships in the College. But the plan was finally 
abandoned, and on May 25th, 1812, an urgent call was 
extended to the fifth pastor, 

EEV. JOKN" SCHUEEMAN, D.D. 

This was a happy selection, and very pleasing to tlie 
whole congregation. He was one of their own sons, a 
great favorite, and universally esteemed. His ancestors 
had been active members of this church for more than 
ninety years, and were distinguished for their piety 
and influence. His father was Hon. James Schureman, 
the patriot of the Revolution, and at this time was a 
prominent member of the congregation ; and his mother 
was a descendant of the Schuyler family, who came to 
this town from Albany at its early settlement. His 
grandfather was Hon. John Schureman, after whom he 
was named, a merchant of this city, and frequently 
representing this district in the State Legislature — who 
was the son of Jacobus Schureman, the schoolmaster, 
who came from Holland with Mr. Frelinghuysen in 
XT' 20, with whom he diligently cooperated in the good 
work of building up the interests of the Redeemer's 
kingdom in this favored section of the church. 

Dr. Schureman was born October 19th, 1778, near 
New-Brunswick, to which place his parents had resort- 
ed during the occupation of the city by the British 
army during the Revolutionary war. His religious 
exercises commenced in very early life, and when a 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 108 

mere youtli lie was often observed in the devout study 
of tlie Scriptures and prayer. In consequence of the 
absence of his father in the public service of the coun- 
try, his education devolved principally upon his aged 
grandfather, to whom he was much indebted for a 
sound religious training. Young Schureraan displayed 
quite early those traits of character which shone so 
brightly through his whole life. He was cheerful and 
amiable in his disposition, affectionate and dutiful to 
his superiors, kind in his intercourse with his compa- 
nions, and beloved by all who knew him. He was 
received into the membership of this church on profes- 
sion of his faith, under the ministry of Dr. Conclict, at 
the communion in April, 1797. That he was apt to 
learn may be inferred from the fact of his completing 
his literary course before he had finished his seven- 
teenth year, graduating from Queen's College Septem- 
ber 30th, 1795. After studying theology with Dr. Liv- 
ingston he was licensed in 1800. His first sermon was 
preached in the old church for Dr. Condict, and he at 
once gave promise of the solid, judicious minister which 
his subsequent life confirmed. His successive fields of 
labor were at Bedminster for six years, at Millstone for 
two and a half years, and in the Collegiate Church of 
New- York for two years. In the latter charge his 
health soon failed, and he came to New-Brunswick, suc- 
ceeding Dr. Condict as Vice-President of the College. 
But this institution was in a very depressed condition, 
and, in consequence of the exhausted state of its funds 
and other unfixvorable circumstances, with all his dili- 
gence and ardor he was not able to restore it to its 
former honorable position. His love for the pulpit, 
and his recovered health, secured by rest from public 
speaking, induced him to listen to an urgent call from 



104: HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

this cliurcli, and lie was installed early in January, 1813. 
But tlie flattering prospects of usefulness which now 
opened before him were speedily disappointed ; he soon 
found that his cherished wish to preach the Gospel was 
to be denied him, and in June of the same year he 
resigned his charge, and, in consequence of frequent 
hemorrhages of the lungs, he very seldom after this 
entered the puli:)it. 

The disappointment of the people was very great. 
Pie was a finished scholar and a Christian gentleman. 
That this church was attached to him may be seen in 
the fact that he had been unanimously called as a col- 
league with Dr. Condict in 1809, that he might devote 
more of his attention to the college, which call he de- 
clined in order to accept the invitation from New- 
York ; and, while the actual pastor of this church, they 
not onlj^ relieved him of much of the burden of the 
ministry, but importuned him to remain in his official 
connection with the congregation, in hopes that a return 
of health would enable him to assume the full duties of 
a pastor. And they had reason to love him, for he w^as 
truly one of the excellent of the earth. In his subsequent 
intercourse with the people he was a most judicious 
and kind counselor, and his influence went far towai'd 
healing the unhappy division which arose during the 
ministry of his successor. Few men understood human 
nature better than he did, and no man could have been 
possessed of a heart more affectionate. As a preacher, 
he was sound in the faith, clear in his method of ar- 
rangement, simple and concise in his style, earnest and 
impressive in his delivery, tender in the very tones of 
his voice, not frequent but appropriate in his gesticula- 
tion, and would leave upon the minds of his hearers 
the impression that he had in his own soul a deep con- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 105 

viction of tlie trutli that lie uttered, and was pervaded 
by an earnest desire that they should receive profit 
under his ministrations. That he did not arrest the 
attention by any bold and striking figures, or move his 
hearers by pathetic appeals to the passions, was un- 
doubtedly true ; but he won his way to the heart by 
preaching Christ in a method so distinct, and with a 
manner so fervid, that it is no wonder that he became 
one of the most useful and popular ministers of his day. 
One of our ministers* writes : " He was my heau ideal 
of a man, a minister, and a preacher. Well do I re- 
member how he charmed my heart by his solemnity 
and suavity." Another,f who knew him well, remarks : 
" I may be thought to exaggerate his merits, but it is 
difficult to hold the pencil steadily when portraying a 
man so uncommonly amiable. You loved him even 
upon a first interview, and you could not withhold your 
love after it was besto'wed. It seems but as yesterday," 
he adds, " w^hen the venerable Dr. Livingston, in an 
address at the funeral of the deceased junior professor, 
turning to the theological students, said, ' My children, 
you will not, you can notfoi^get your dear Schureman.^ " 
After his resignation of the pastorate of this church 
he was elected, October, 1815, a Professor of Ecclesias- 
tical History and Pastoral Theology in the Seminary, 
and died in that office May 15th, 1818. His grave is in 
the yard near that of Dr. Condict, the fifth of your 
deceased pastors, beneath a monument erected by Gen- 
eral Synod. At a meeting of that body, a short time 
after his death, the sentiments of the whole church 
w^ere expressed in the following action: "The death of 
the late professor. Dr. John Schureman, is an event 

* Dr. I. N. W^yckoff. f Dr. Gabriel Ludlow. 



106 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

wbicli, however it may have been his incalculable gain, 
is deeply to be deplored by us. So amiable were his 
manners, so undoubted his piety, so acceptable his ser- 
vices, and so flattering were his pros2:)ects as to his use- 
fulness in the church, that we can not but mourn that 
such a man is removed from our institution." It was 
also provided tha,t a plain tombstone be erected over 
his grave, with a suitable inscription declaring the im- 
portant station he occupied in the church, and the 
esteem which this body will long cherish for one whose 
praise was in all the churches. 

The resignation of Dr. Schureman was followed by a 
short vacancy. October 2d, 1813, the church, with 
great unanimity, called, as the sixth pastor, 

EEV. JESSE FOISTDA. 

He was born in the town of Watervliet, Albany 
county, N. Y., April 2'rth, 1786. He made a profes- 
sion of his faith in the Reformed Dutch Church of the 
Boght, and graduated from Union College, in 1806, in 
the same class with Dr. C. C. Cuyler and the Hon. John 
C. Spencer. His theological studies were pursued un- 
der the direction of ministers of our church, and he 
was licensed by the North Consociation of Hartford 
County. His first settlement was at Nassau, N. Y., 
where he labored with all the enthusiasm of a young 
pastor, and in which place his ministry is still remem- 
bered as one of great prosperity and usefulness. He 
removed to this city and commenced his labors in the 
month of November. 

This church had suffered much for the want of pastoral 
supervision, Dr. Schureman's feeble health having pre- 
vented him from doing much active work in the congre- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 107 

gation. Mr. Fonda found a large amouut of labor upon 
his hands, and, blessed with a vigorous constitution and 
great energy of character, he gave himself fully to this 
ministry. He was systematic in his labors and intense- 
ly active. About this time an unha2:)py controversy 
commenced in the church in reference to tlie hour for 
holding the afternoon service on the Sabbath, which 
continued to disturb the peace of the church for a num- 
ber of years, and was the ultimate ground of his remo- 
val. The pastor and city portion of the charge desired a 
change to three o'clock, but the more distant members 
of the congregation were in favor of the plan whicli 
had been the established usage of the church. At one 
time the difficulty had grown to sucb proportions that 
the plan of a new organization v^as proposed. The 
matter in controversy w^as carried before Classis, wbo 
recommended, tlirough. a committee, the formation of 
two new churches, one to be located at Three Mile Run, 
the second at Milltown or on Geors-e's road. It would, 
no doubt, have been to the interest of the denomina- 
tion had this plan been carried out, and these churches 
organized in a spirit of harmony and with a desire to 
extend the Kedeemer's kingdom. 

But the existence of this controversy was not so 
absorbing as to divert the attention from sj)iritual in- 
terests. During the ministry of Mr. Fonda there was 
a healthy growth of the church, and at one communion 
twenty-eight ])ersons made a public j)rofession of their 
faith. The total number of communicants received into 
the church was one hundred and seven. 

Mr. Fonda was dismissed from this congregation July 
3d, 1817, in order that he might accept a call from the 
Reformed Dutch Church, of Montgomery — at that time, 
as at present, one of the most intelligent and flourisli- 



108 HISTORICAL DISCOUKSE. 

iug congregations in our body. He preaclied liis last 
sermon on tlie 28tli of the niontli from the text, " Cast- 
ing all your care upon him, for he careth for you." By 
request of his numerous friends the sermon was pub- 
lished, and it exhibits, with great tenderness, the doc- 
trine of " confidence in God in the day of trouble." It 
is inscribed to his personal friends Drs. Livingston and 
Schureman, and to the reverend clergy of New-Bruns- 
wick, " brethren who dwell together in unity." 

Mr. Fonda continued at Montgomery in the faithful 
discharge of his duties until his death in 1827. Few 
ministers excelled him as a preacher. He had a full, 
sonorous voice, well modulated, and would draw atten- 
tion by the pleasantness of his countenance. He pre- 
pared his sermons with great care, writing them out in 
full and then j)reaching from memory. He never 
paused for a word, but carried his hearers along in a 
train of rapid argument or pungent appeal to the close 
of his discourse. Dr. Livingston regarded him as one 
of our most finished ministers. It is said that he 
greatly excelled on extraordinary occasions. His min- 
istry occupied the important period of our last war 
with England. The public mind in this section of the 
country was intensely agitated, and seizing hold of 
these important national occurrences he enforced with 
great power the lessons of religion as taught by " the 
signs of the times." His sermon, preached April 13th, 
1815, on the occasion of the close of the conflict, enti- 
tled " Thanksgiving for Peace," jDroduced a wonderful 
sensation. This large building was crowded to its ut- 
most capacity, while he discoursed with great eloquence 
upon the passage, " Sing, O daughter of Zion ; shout, 
O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 109 

daiigliter of Jerusalem. The Lord Lath taken away 
thy judgments." (Zephaniah 3:14, 15.) 

In 1814, Mr. Fonda was chosen a member of the 
Board of Trustees of Queen's College ; and at the an- 
nual meeting of General Synod in Albany, June, 1823, 
he was chosen the President of that body. He has left, 
in his work on the Sacraments, a very fair reputation 
for authorship, which deserves to be re2:)roduced from 
the press and given a wide circulation. 

Mr. Fonda left here in the summer of 181Y. In the 
graduating class of that year there was a young mac 
a member of this church, of fine abilities and of great 
promise, to whom all eyes were immediately directed. 
It was not necessary for him to preach as a candidate, 
for every one knew him, and so urgent was the Consis- 
tory that, even before he received his license, a commit- 
tee waited upon him with an informal presentation of 
a call. This student, who became the next pastor of 
the church of New-Brunsvv^ick, was 



EEV. JOHK LUDLOW, D.D. 

His calls bears the date of September 17th, 1817, 
fifty years ago. The first invitation he declined, but 
on its renewal he accepted the charge with the under- 
standing that he was not expected to preach but once 
on the Sabbath duriug the first year, and be released from 
all pastoral labor. It is said that he broke through 
these conditions almost immediately, for he was a faith- 
ful pastor, and in the pulpit a Boanerges. Some of 
you remember him as he appeared when he first came 
among you, and the interest that was awakened in the 
church by having for their pastor a young man fresh 



110 HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

from our Theological Seminaiy. His ministry, however, 
was short. Only two years after his settlement he re- 
ceived an api^ointment to a professorship in the Theo- 
logical Seminary, which lie felt constrained to accept, 
and was accordingly released from his 23astoral charge. 

His character and history are well understood in this 
community, where the last years of Ms life were spent 
in tlie education of young men for the ministry. After 
spending four years as j)rofessor under his first appoint- 
ment by General Synod, he returned to the pulpit, for 
which he had special cpialifications, and was for eleven 
years the j)astor of the North Church of Albany, at 
that time, as at present, the first in position and influ- 
ence in the Synod of Albany. In 1834, he accepted the 
position of Provost in the University of the City of Phil- 
adelphia, which ofiice he held for eighteen years ; and 
only resigned that he might obey the will of the Gen- 
eral Synod in his election to the Professorship of Eccle- 
siastical History, Pastoral Theology, and Church His- 
tory in our Seminary, succeeding the venerable Pro- 
fessor Cannon, wdiich position he filled with great ability 
until his death, September 8th, 1857. His grave is 
among the group of pastors and professors in the yard 
at the left of the pulpit. 

Dr. Ludlow, as a man, a minister, and a Christian, 
was universally esteemed. The confidence which was 
reposed in him by the church is sufficiently indicated 
by his election at five different periods to professorships 
in our institutions. In the JSTorthern Synod no minister 
exerted so wide an influence. If a church building 
was to be dedicated, or a corner-stone laid, or an in- 
stallation sermon preached, the services of Dr. Ludlow 
were solicited. In his early ministry in this church he 
developed rapidly, and soon exhibited all those traits of 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. Ill 

character wliich clistinguislied him in after-life. Says 
one of his early students : " We loved him as a preacher. 
He elucidated liis texts fairly, strongly, with dignity, and 
as one ever under a sense of God's requirements. His 
subjects were rich and diversified. He loved what he 
used to call a good fat text, one full of Gospel truth 
and bearing on men's hearts and conscience." His 
brother remarks that " his strength as a preacher lay 
very much in his manner / in the fire of his eye ; in 
the expression of his countenance — an expression very 
varied and corresponding very fully with his varied 
emotions ; in the stentorian tones of his voice — a voice 
that easily filled the largest buildings ; in his strong and 
well-placed emphasis; in his forcible gesticulation; in 
his positive, authoritative, confident manner." A most 
admirable analysis of his character was given by Dr. 
Bethune, who knew him well. Based on the thought 
that his leading quality was strength, he presents Dr. 
Ludlow as a man, " strong in person, strong in voice, 
strong in intellect, strong in will, strong in affections." 

His activity in carrying forward all the great mea- 
sures of our church is deserving of high praise. And 
the nol^le result of his last labors for the church he 
loved — the Theological Hall — stands before us to-day as 
a monument to his memory. All those traits of cha- 
racter which distinguished him in afterlife he displayed 
at the commencement of his ministry, and while he was 
yet the pastor of this church. And it is not surpris- 
ing that they yielded to the will of General Synod 
with extreme reluctance, and " a general murmur arose 
through the congregation not easily or soon hushed." 

The resignation of Dr. Ludlow left this church va- 
cant for the third time in the short space of six years. 
Rev. Gabriel Ludlow, the brother of the late pastor, 



112 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

was now called, but declined the invitation. The pul- 
pit was supplied by the professors in the Seminary for 
about one year, during which period the attention of 
the Consistory was directed to another young student, 
who graduated from the institution in the first class 
under the instruction of their former minister ; and 
on January 21st, 1821, there was called, as the eighth 
pastor of this church, 

EEV. ISAAC FEEEIS, D.D. 

Dr. Ferris was installed pastor of the church on the 
third Thursday in April, 1821. Early in May, Eev. 
Samuel B. How, D.D., commenced his labors in the 
Presbyterian church, of which he was installed the pas- 
tor the 13th of June.* April 13th, Rev. G. S. Webb, 
D.D., became the minister of the Baptist church. It is 
a striking coincident that these three New-Brunswick 
pastors, all in early manhood, entered upon their work 
in this city the same spring, and it is not necessary to 
remark that the intimate relation then formed has con- 
tinued unbroken until the present. It is a pleasing 
feature of our anniversary that these servants of the 
Lord are all still living, with memories reaching back 
to their labors in this city. Two have their homes 
with us, spending the close of life among the people 
to whom they ministered for near a generation, and the 
other is in the discharge of active duties. As the 

* The following have been pastors of the First Presbyterian Church : 
Rev. Gilbert Tennent, (1726-'43 ;) Rev. Thomas Arthur, (?) (1746-'51 ;) 
Rev, Israel Reed, (1768-'86;) Rev. Walter Monteith, (lY86-'94;) Rev. 
Joseph Clark, U.D., (1797-1813;) Rev. Levi J. T. Huntington, 1815-20; 
Rev. Samuel B. How, D.D., (1821-'23;) Rev. Joseph H. Jones, D.D., 
(1825-'38;) Rev. Robert Birch, (1839-'42;) Rev. Robert Davidson, D.D., 
(1843-'59;) Rev. Howard Crosby, D.D., (1861-'62 ;) Rev. William T. 
Beatty, (1863-67,) and at present without a pastor. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 113 

senior ex-pastor of this cliurcli, witli great propriety the 
committee have solicited from him the favor, and the 
congregation will enjoy the pleasure, of listening to the 
closing address of our anniversary from one who, forty- 
six years ago, was set apart to the work of the ministry 
wdthin these walls by the laying on of the hands of the 
Presbytery. 

November 10th, 1821, there was received into the 
membership of the church, on profession of his fliith, a 
young man, in the seventeenth year of his age, who 
subsequently became one of the most devoted of our 
foreign missionaries — David Abeel. His father was a 
man of great moral integrity and of remarkable energy 
of character; while his mother, Jane Hassert, was a 
woman of imcommon amiability of temper and of de- 
voted piety. There were beautifully blended in the 
character of young Abeel great firmness of purpose, a 
quick intellect, and an unusual development of gentle- 
ness and affection. He was one of those men who dre^v 
toward him the warmest esteem and admiration ; and, 
when grace gave him a new heart, he Avas of all otiiers 
the one whose soul would overflow ^vith commiseration 
for the perishing heathen, and who Avas ready to conse- 
crate himself to a work Avhich demanded the most he- 
roic sacrifices, and which he continued to prosecute wdth 
untirino; devotion to the close of his life. The interest 
wdth which he was regarded by all those who knew 
him, as well as indicating one element of his strength, 
is sufficiently attested by the uniform name which he 
bore of " the beloved Abeel." His early death, at the 
age of forty-two, filled the whole Church with mourn- 
ing ; for well she knew that such men are rare — men 
of similar faith and ardor, and of entire consecration 
to the cause of God and man. It is an honor to have 
8 



11-i IJISTOKICAL DISCOUESE. 

upon our cliurcli-rolls tlie name of such a man, and to 
have sent forth into the Gospel ministry and into the 
heathen world David Abeel. 

In addition to Dr. Abeel, there were six young men 
from this conoTeo-ation who consecrated themselves to 

a o 

God in the work of the ministry, and who united with 
the church by profession during the ministry of Dr. 
Ferris. The whole number of additions to the church 
during the period under review w^as seventy-eight by 
profession and twenty-seven by certificate, and of the 
whole number, one hundred and five, only seven are 
now in communion with us. 

The pastoral relation between Dr. Ferris and this 
congregation was dissolved in October, 1824, when he 
removed to Albany and was installed over the Second 
Keformed Dutch Church of that city, succeeding Dr. 
John De Witt, who had recently assumed the Profes- 
sorship of Biblical Criticism, Ecclesiastical History, and 
Pastoral Theology in our Seminary. The successive 
fields of labor occupied by Dr. Ferris were, in x\lbany 
twelve years; in the Market Street Church, of New- 
York, twelve years; and, since 1852, as the Chancellor 
of the University of New-York, in w^hich honorable 
position may he long be S23ared to serve the cause of 
education and advance the interests of the Redeemer's 
kino-dom. 

Forty-three years ago, when the ministry of Dr. Fer- 
ris terminated, New-Brunswick was an ancient town. 
Those who were then familiar with the city would now 
recognize only a few things which have not passed 
through changes, and the inhabitants with whom he 
was then familiar would no longer be seen in our 
streets. The population, numbering about four thou- 
sand five hundred, lived between New street at the south, 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 115 

Somerset street at the north, and George street at the 
Avest, with a few families on the outskirts of the town. 
This building, without a steeple, had stood for twelve 
years, and at the time of its erection it was thought 
that it would be too far distant from the centre of pop- 
ulation, as at that time only a few families were living 
further west. About one half of the congregation 
were from the country, and of the city charge about 
fifty families resided in Burnet street, thirty in Church, 
in Water and Albany streets there were forty, and the 
balance were living in JSTeilson, New, Peace, and Hiram 
streets.' All that portion of the city beyond George, 
New, and Somerset streets was out of town. The Col- 
lege was standing in an unfinished condition on quite a 
barren hill. The grounds now occupied by the Semi- 
nary and the beautiful residences beyond were desolate 
in the extreme, j^resenting tlie remains of the old forti- 
fication of the British army during the Revolution. 
The Presbyterian congregation was worshiping in their 
second edifice, fronting Paterson street, a short distance 
below the present site. Dr. How had preached his 
last sermon in this church October 5th, 1823, to accept 
a call in the city of Savannah, and they were now va- 
cant. The first building of the Baptist church was 
standing on the spot now occupied by the depot, sur- 
rounded by a cemetery of about one acre, where they 
continued to worshi]) until 1837, when the property 
was sold and the present edifice erected.'"' There was 

*This society was connected with the church at Piscataway for several 
years, the pastor serving both congregations. The first church edifice was 
completed in 1812, and the church organized September 21st, 1816. The 
following have been pastors : Rev. James McLaughHn, (1812-17',) Rev. John 
Johnson, (1818-19,) Rev. G. S. Webb, D.D., (1821-43,) Rev. George R. 
Bliss, D.D., (18-43-49,) Rev. Shobel S. Parker, (1850-52,) Rev. George W. 
Kcmpton, (1852-57,) Rev. Thomas R. Hewlett, (1858-59,) and Rev. Mor- 
timer S. Riddell, D.D., since 18G0. 



116 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

only one Metliodist cliurcli, in Liberty street, built in 
1811. A trip to Philadel2:)hia was an event to be plan- 
ned some weeks before tbe undertaking, and a journey 
to New- York and return consumed two days. 

Tlie successor of Dr. Ferris, and the ninth pastor, was 

KEY. JAMES B. HAEDENBERGII, D.D. 

He was called April 2d, 1825, and was the second 
minister of this name who held the pastoral office in 
this church. He was born in Ulster county, N. Y. ; 
graduated from Union College in 1821, and from our 
Theological Seminary in 1824; immediately after which 
he was installed Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church, 
of Helderberg, in the county of Albany. He was 
holding this position when the Consistory of this church 
presented him an urgent call through one of their 
deacons,^ Mr. H. H. Schenck. He remained in connec- 
tion with this church "until December, 1829, discharg- 
ing his duties with great fidelity and success, in order 
that he might accept an invitation to labor in a. new 
enterprise in Orchard street, New-York City, from 
Avhence he removed to Rhinebeck for six years, to the 
First Church, of Philadelphia, for four years, and thence 
to the North -West Church, in New- York, for fourteen 
years. 

The property on which our church edifice stands was 
enlarged, in the years 1823 and 1825, by the purchase 
of two lots of forty-three feet front on Bayard and 
Paterson streets, with a depth along the alley of two 
hundred and forty-four feet, at a cost of $395.50. The 
first lecture-room owned by the congregation was erected 
in 1826, on the corner of the alley and Bayard street, 
at an expense of $1468. All the weekly services of 



HISTORICAL DISCOUKSE. 117 

the churdi were held, up to this date, in the Lancaste- 
rian school-room in Schureman street. The church edi- 
fice was still further improved by the erection of a 
steeple in the year 18J27, under the direction of three 
very efficient members of the congregation, Staats Van 
Deurseu, Matthew Egerton, and Peter Spader. The 
amount expended was $2725. 

On our list of church members received during the 
ministry of Dr. Hardenbergh I find the name of that 
excellent missionary, Rev. Frederick B. Thompson. 
Through the influence of his pastor he was induced to 
commence a course of preparation for the gospel min- 
istry. His missionary life commenced September 17th, 
1838, when he reached Singapore, on his way to the 
island of Borneo, where he spent several years labor- 
ing with great industry and devotion for the cause of 
Christ among the benighted Dyahs. His course was 
soon finished. He died in the city of Berne, Switzer- 
land, January 17th, 1848, in the thirty-ninth year of 
his age, "just at a time when his great usefulness be- 
came apparent, and at a peculiar crisis, when the church 
most needed his labors. Had he lived," adds his bio- 
grapher, "to the ordinary age of man, he would, un- 
doubtedly, have stood among the very first missionaries 
of his age." In a commemorative discourse, preached 
in this church after the news of his death had reached 
America, Dr. How remarked, "The life of our departed 
brother has been short, but it has not been in vain ; 
and Ave doubt not but that, hundreds of years hence, 
the name of Frederick B. Thompson will be pro- 
nounced in Borneo with blessings upon it." The mem- 
ory of this godly man is still precious in our church, 
and it was a privilege in the pastor to have received 
him into her communion. 



118 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

Dr. Hardenbergb's resignation was not accepted until 
repeated efforts had been made to retain liis services ; 
but, under a conviction of duty, lie was constrained to 
leave an established and prosperous churcli for a new 
enterprise in the city of New- York. 

Tlie last three pastors of this church, Drs. Ludlow, 
Ferris, and Ilardenbergh, were young men, educated 
in our own Seminary, and called to exercise the work 
of the ministry at a most interesting period in the his- 
tory of the church. They lived at a time when all the 
great benevolent institutions of the age were set in 
operation, and the Kingdom of Christ was organized 
for more efficient activity against the kingdom of dark- 
ness. They all identified themselves v/ith the promi- 
nent schemes of Christian benevolence, and aided in 
carrying forward the plans of religious enterprise. 

The date of the reorganization of our College occurred 
during this period. At a meeting of the Board of 
Trustees in May, 1825, a committee was appointed to 
increase the endowment of the institution, so that its 
literary department might be revived and the machi- 
nery of education set in full operation. Rev. Jesse 
Fonda was chairman of the committee, and Rev. J. Lud- 
low and an elder of this church, Jacob R. Harden- 
bergh, were members. The plan was successful, and so 
promptly was the effort responded to throughout the 
church that, at an adjourned meeting of General Synod, 
held in September following, the gratifying report was 
made that subscriptions for a third professorship to the 
amount of $26,000 had been obtained, principally 
within the bounds of the Synod of Albany, and ar- 
rangements were made for the revival of the College. 
At the same time the name of the institution was 
changed from Queen's to Rutgers, in- honor of a noble 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 119 

Hevolutionaiy patriot, a liberal contributor to its 
funds, and a distinguished elder in the church. Since 
that period the College and Theological Seminary, 
whicli have given such distinction to our city, have in- 
creased in prosperity and usefulness, until, by the mu- 
nificent endowments recently procured, they have been 
placed on a substantial foundation, and have obtained 
a position of great prominence among the institutions of 
our land. 

January 20th, 1825, an event occurred in the congre- 
gation which clothed not only this church but the 
whole denomination in mournino*. I refer to the death 
of the venerable Professor Dr. John H. Livingston, 
lie was a resident of this city and a member of the con- 
gregation for fifteen years, and during all this period 
he was the honored head of our institutions and the 
acknowledged leader of all religious enterprises. Dr. 
Livingston was a man of mark in every position he oc- 
cupied, the observed of all observers. Many things in 
this city remind us of him. The name of one of our 
most beautiful streets is called after him, Livingston 
Avenue. The seat which he always occupied in this 
sanctuary was at the head of the elders' pew, with a form 
erect even amid the infirmities of age, and an attention 
that never wandered for a moment. This building re- 
minds us of him. He laid the corner-stone with an 
appropriate address, and, when it was completed, he 
preached the dedication sermon. He presided at the 
ordination of pastors ; during the time of vacancy was 
chairman of meetings of Consistory, and directed the 
affairs of the cono-reci-ation : he offered consolation to the 
people on the death or removal of their ministers, and 
stood himself in the room of a shepherd. It was re- 
garded as a great privilege to hear him preach, and 



120 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 

communion Sabbatlis in tlie clnircli of New-Brunswick 
always drew a large congregation ; for the duty devolved 
upon liim, by the courtesy of pastors, to take the promi- 
nent place in the services. And it is said that, while 
he was always excellent, on these occasions he was supe- 
rior. The subject in which he most delighted was 
Jesus the Mediator of the Covenant, and at the Table 
of the Lord he would grasp the doctrine of the cross 
with a comprehensiveness which was peculiar to him- 
self, and present it in a manner so adapted to his theme 
that all hearts would melt in the presence of Infinite 
Love. 

Dr. Livingston's sudden death was almost like a 
translation. On the day preceding he had delivered 
an important lecture in the institution, and, retiring to 
rest at the usual hour, during the night he was received 
into the glory of the Lord, at the ripe age of seventy- 
nine years. His funeral was attended in this building 
by an immense concourse of people, and an address de- 
livered by Dr. Milledoler. A commemorative sermon 
was preached on a subsequent Sabbath by Dr. John 
De Witt, and by request of the Consistory was pub- 
lished. His monument is in our churchyard, beneath 
which his precious dust is resting until the resurrection 
into life eternal. 

It is forty-two years since this noble man was taken 
from the church, and yet the impressions left upon the 
minds of hundreds in our city are as vivid as if they 
had met him in our streets only yesterday. Indeed, not 
one who saw him in the pulpit could ever forget him. 
His clerical dress of the old style; his tall, erect, digni- 
fied form ; his deliberate but elastic step ; his counte- 
nance so regular, with a blended expression of benignity 
and intelligence ; his tones of voice so full, varied, and 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 121 

flowing; liis style animated, tender, colloqnial, often 
sublime, would arrest tlie attention of the youngest 
hearer. I Lave heard descriptions of him, most accu- 
rate, from persons who at the time of his death were 
mere children. There must have been something pe- 
culiar about him to stamp on the mind an impression 
which is so permanent. "As a preacher," writes Dr. 
Sprague, "he was among the most j^romineut of his 
dav ; his sermons teemed with the richest evano-elical 
trutli, presented in the most luminous way, and in a 
style of delivery impressive, majestic, and yet singularly 
unique. He was for many years recognized as the 
patriarch of the Dutch Church, and his memory is 
embalmed in the gratitude and veneration of the a\ hole 
church." 

The General Synod immediately made choice of Rev. 
Philip Milledoler, D.D., one of the ministers of the 
Colle£>;iate Church in New- York, as the successor of Dr. 
Livingston in the chair of Didactic Theology, and at 
the same time he was api)ointed President of Rutgers 
College. This position he hlled for fifteen years, during 
which time he was a constant attendant upon the ser- 
vices of this church, occupying one of the square pews, 
at the head of which he always sat, giving devout and 
reverent attention to the preaching of the Avord. 

Dr. Milledoler Avas a most useful and excellent man, 
and at one period of his life his services were sought 
by some of the most important congregations in New- 
York and Philadelphia. In the latter city, as the suc- 
cessor of Rev. John Blair Smith, in the Pine Street 
Church, his ministry was eminently successful, and for 
several years it was blessed by an almost uninterrupted 
revival. Previous to the organization of Princeton 
Seminary, the Presbytery of New- York appointed him 



122 HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

tlie instructor of students in theology, and lie had the 
honor of sending out into the ministry several useful 
and well-prepared young men. Dr. Sj^rague has fur- 
nished lis with the folloAving picture of the man, the 
correctness of which will be recognized by all who 
knew him : " Dr. Milledoler was a man of rather more 
than the medium height, well-proportioned, with a 
grave countenance, dignified manners, and good pow- 
ers of conversation. His mind, naturally of a superior 
mould, was well-disciplined and well-stored. His Chris- 
tian character was marked by great consistency and a 
uniformly fervent devotion. His sermons were always 
highly evangelical, and delivered with a marked viva- 
city and unction that could scarcely fail to command 
attention. But nothing pertaining to him was so un- 
mistakable as his prayers ; it seemed as if he were 
literally sj^eaking to his Father in heaven face to face ; 
simplicity, tenderness, fullness, freedom, and variety were 
their leading characteristics." 

We are brought, in the progress of our narrative, to 
the year 1829. Rapid changes had taken place in the 
ministry of this church. Dr. Ludlow had hardly be- 
come acquainted with his people when the General 
Synod called him to the Seminary ; Dr. Ferris has only 
commenced his work Avhen Albany calls him to the va- 
cant joulpit of Dr. DeWitt ; and Dr. Hardenbergh is 
induced to accept a new field of labor in the city of 
New- York after servins; this church for about four 
years. It is not to be disguised that these short pastor- 
ates were very unfavorable to the real interests of the 
church. Frequent occurrence of vacancies interrupted 
the steady progress of religious v/ork, and agitated the 
congregation with the natural anxiety respecting a suc- 
cessor. It is almost surprising that the selections were 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 123 

made with sucli a spirit of unanimity, and tliat this 
large cliurch so soon rallied around these young men 
sent to them by the Lord of the vineyard. 

The period of vacancy was short. Dr. Ilardenbergh's 
resignation took effect in December, 1829, and only two 
months subsequent, namely, on February 23d, 1830, a 
unanimous call was extended to the tenth pastor, 

REV. JACOB J. JANEWAY, D.D. 

He had previously been called to the Presbyterian 
church in this city, as the successor of Dr. Joseph 
Clark, in 1814, which invitation he declined. Previous 
to his settlement over this congregation he had occupied 
some of the most prominent positions in the Presbyte- 
rian Church, and at the date of his call had just resigned 
the Professorship of Theology in the Western Theolo- 
gical Seminary, at Alleghany, Pa. He was not installed 
until May 26th, though he assumed the charge of the 
pulpit early in the spring. The church now felt that 
they had secured a pastor of middle age, who would 
long remain among them, and give his ripe experience 
and sound instruction to the upbuilding and establish- 
ment of the congregation. He came to this city with 
a well-furnished mind, a large stock of experience, tho- 
roughly orthodox in his sentiments, and at once, though 
he had spent his w^hole ministerial life in the Presbyte- 
rian Church, identified himself with all the interests of 
our denomination. Indeed, he was only returning to 
his first home. His parents were members of the Col- 
legiate Church, in New- York, into whose communion 
he also was received on confession of his faith after 
graduating from Columbia College. His theological 
studies were pursued under the direction of Dr. Liv- 



124 HISTOETCAL DISCOURSE. 

ingstoD, for whom he cherished an unbounded rever- 
ence, first as his pastor, then as his instructor, and 
throuo'h life as his cherished friend. The Colle2:e testi- 
fied their confidence in him by electing him a member 
of their Corporation, and the General Synod by elevat- 
ing him to the Presidency of that body in 1833. 

About the time of his settlement the plan of organ- 
izing a church at Middlebush was agitated, and pre. 
liminary measures taken to carry it into effect. A 
memorial was drawn up with great care by that por- 
tion of the congregation residing in this district and 
laid before the Consistory. The commissioners were 
Henry V. Demott and Frederick J. Van Liew. They 
argue in this paper the importance of establishing a 
church not only in that immediate neighborhood, but 
also on George's Road. The Consistory encouraged 
the movement, and by immediate resolution proposed 
to give, as their subscription, the parsonage lot of three 
acres on Somerset and Hamilton streets. Dr. Janeway 
was a warm advocate of this measure, and although it 
was not carried into effect during his ministry, yet he 
regarded the enterprise as essential to the prosperity of 
the church ; and, marking the indisposition of the 23eople 
to leave his ministry, in a spirit of great selfsacrifice 
he immediately determined to resign his charge, hoj^ing 
that this important plan would soon be accomplished. 

The expectation of the church that the ministry of 
Dr. Janeway would be of long continuance was to be 
disappointed. The extent of the congregation, the 
amount of labor incident to a great country as well as 
city charge, and the need of an immediate organization 
in some part of this extensive field, induced him to seek 
from the Classis a dissolution of the pastoral relation, 
which was effected February 24th, 1831, after serving 
the church only one year. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 125 

After a sliort residence in tlie city of ISTew-Yorlv, Dr. 
Jane way returned to New-Briinswiek, and in 1833 was 
called to the Vice-Presidency of the College, and to the 
Professorship of Belles Lettres and the Evidences of 
Christianity, which positions he filled with eminent 
ability until his resignation in 1889. 

He died at his residence in Livino-ston Avenue on 
Sabbath evening, June 27th, 1858, in the eighty-fourth 
year of his age ; a man greatly beloved for his many 
virtues, and of distinguished position in the church. 
It was a sentiment to which this entire community re- 
sponded, uttered at his funeral by his intimate friend 
Dr. Hodge, "After a life devoted with singular simpli- 
city of purpose to the service of his Master, he descends 
to the grave with a reputation without a blot, followed 
by the benedictions of hundreds and by the respectful 
affection of thousands. A long, prosperous, happy, and 
useful life has been crowned with a truly Christian 
death." 

The resignation of Dr. Janeway in the winter of 1831 
a2:ain left this church vacant. After makins; an effort 
to secure the services of E,ev. Samuel A. Van Vranken, 
and having the pulpit suj)plied by Rev. Henry Hermance 
for about six months, the choice of the church, as the 
eleventh pastor, was my immediate predecessor, 

EEV. SAMUEL B. HOW, D.D. 

Dr. How was born in the city of Burlington; gradu- 
ated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1811 ; was 
licensed by the Presbytery of Philadelphia in 1813 ; first 
pastor for two years of the church of Salisbury, Pa. ; then 
five years of the church of Trenton, N. J. ; then two years 
as the minister of the Firet Presbyterian Church of 



126 HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 

this city ; tlien for seven years pastor of the Indepen- 
dent Church of Savannah ; and after laboring for a short 
time as President of Dickinson College, Pa., and also in 
a new enterprise in New- York, he was called to this 
church May 18th, 1832. 

You have now followed me to a period in the history 
of our church within the recollection of nearly every 
middle-aged man. The pastor who now filled this pul- 
pit is still living, and the time has not yet come to form 
an estimate of character or to sum up the record of re- 
sults. The briefest statement of facts occurrins: within 
the next thirty-five years will be all that is expected pre- 
vious to closins: our narrative. 

The period that now comes under review may be re- 
srarded as the era of church extension and revivals. In 
both of these departments there has been an advance 
beyond that of any preceding period. In regard to 
the muliplicatiou of churches, the following facts will 
arrest attention : Of the ten organizations now consti- 
tutin!7 the Classis of New-Brunswick, when Dr. How 
commenced his ministry, only two, in addition to our 
own, were in existence — the churches of Six Mile Kun 
and Hillsborough. The original Classis, numbering four- 
teen churches and\deven ministers, extended from Mid- 
dletown, in Monmou\li county, to Lebanon in Hunterdon, 
and embraced also three churches still farther north, in 
Orange county, N. Y. Now, within the same territory 
we have three Classes, thirty-four churches, with a body 
of forty ministers. That we have multiplied to the ex- 
tent that we should in all parts of the field is not to be 
presumed, and the question should j^ress upon us whe- 
ther we ought not to stretch abroad the curtains of our 
habitation. 

Almost the first act after the settlement of Dr. How 



HISTORICAL DISCOUnSE. 127 

WHS the organization of tlie long talked of clitircli in tlie 
country portion of Lis cliarge. Once more the sub- 
ject came before the Consistory in a memorial from that 
part of the congregation residing in the vicinity of Mid- 
dlebnsh, and an earnest resolution was adopted that the 
time had now fully come in which to arise and build. 
The concurrence of the surrounding churches having 
l)een secured, by an act of Classis the Keformed Dutch 
Church of Middlebush" was organized March I7th, 1834, 
])y a committee consisting of Rev. Messrs. Jacob I. Shultz, 
H. L. Rice, and A. D. Wilson. That church has always 
been looked upon ^vith interest as our own enterprise, 
and nothing affords the old First more joy than to learn 
of their prosperity. And to-day we oifer our congra- 
tulations that, under the administration of her young 
pastor, she is assuming new vigor, and is beautifying the 
sanctuary of the Lord. 

It pleased God, in the year 1837, to pour out his Spirit 
in a remarkable manner upon New-Brunswick, and bless 
this church with a revival of religion such as is seldom 
enjoyed. The work of grace commenced in the Baptist 
church some time in the month of March, and soon 
spread through all the other congregations. Of this re- 
vival, two interesting narratives were published at the 
time in the religious newspapers ; one by Dr. Jones, pas- 
tor of the Presbyterian church, and the other by Dr. 
How, giving a detailed account of the Avork in his own 
charge. In respect to this congregation Dr. How states 
that " for several years previous it had been peaceful 
and prosperous, and had steadily improved in its spirit- 
ual interests." Two events are sj^oken of in the nar- 



* The pastors settled at Middlebush have been Rev. J. T. Shultz, 
(1834-38,) Rev. John A. Van Dorcn, (1838-66,) and Rev. George W.' 
Swain, the present pastor. 



128 nisTorjCAL discouese. 

rative as seeming to prepare tlie way for tliis great 
awakening; namely, the visitation of tlie cliolera in 
1832, and the desolating tornado which swept through 
the city in June, 1835, laying whole streets in ruins and 
destroying several lives. The minds of the people were 
arrested and solemnized by these events, and in many 
instances saving impressions were produced. But in the 
latter part of May, 1837, the entire congregation seemed 
to be affected with a religious awe, and it v/as rare to 
meet with an individual who was not willins; to con- 
verse with his 23astor on his spiritual interests. Religious 
meetings were thronged, Sabbath days were seasons of 
refreshing, conversions were multiplied, and the entire 
population was moved by the Spirit of God. 

The result of this work of grace in this church was 
the addition of one hundred and thirty-seven to the 
communion, and about iive hundred to all the churches 
in the city. The work was very powerful in the Col- 
lege. In the graduating class of that year not one was 
left unvisited. • Out of the number who united with 
our church nine entered the gospel ministry, of whom 
two are now professors in our Theological Seminary — 
Rev. Drs. De Witt and Demarest. Many who were 
received into the membership of the church had been 
under serious impressions for six, nine, and twelve 
months, and some for two or three years. 

The means employed were the ordinary and estab- 
lished ordinances of gi'ace, and no new measures or 
novel doctrines were resorted to in order to feed a mere 
excitement. Religious meetings were indeed multi- 
plied, but they were for prayer and the preaching of 
the Word. The aid of other ministers was sought, but 
they were the pastors of neighboring churches and the 
professors in the institutions. The morning prayer- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 129 

meeting at six o'clock was ■uniformly crowded, and 
those who attended them will never forget the solemn 
awe that rested upon the assemblies. While there was 
far from the exhibition of any opposition, every one 
spoke of the revival with interest, and all seemed to come 
under the power of an influence which was not of man 
but of God. Dr. How remarks, in his narrative, that 
"there was no disorder, no confusion, no wild, mis- 
guided zeal. All was serious, solemn, calm, devout, 
and at times deeply affecting." And months after the 
work had ceased, the pastor states, as the effect produced 
upon the congregation, that there has been "an in- 
creased sj^irit of harmony and love among the people 
of God, and never was the congregation in a state of 
more entire peace or of greater prosperity than it now 
enjoys." 

This is one of the brightest spots in the history of 
the church, and it will be long before the members of 
this congregation and the citizens of New-Brunswick 
will cease to speak with the deepest emotion of the 
revival of 1837. 

In subsequent years it was the happiness of the pas- 
tor to witness other special seasons of ingathering. In 
1843, thirty-three were added to the communion ; in 
1853, twenty-seven; and in 1858, fifty-four; but the 
powerful work of grace in 1837 stands without a par- 
allel in the whole history of the church. 

Year after year there was the evidence of increased 
prosperity, and during the ministry of Dr. How the 
congregation had so enlarged in numbers that he re- 
ports to Classis three hundred and fifty families, and 
five hundred and forty-nine communicants upon the 
rolls. It was God's blessing poured out upon the faith- 
ful preaching of the AVord, and great diligence in the 

9 



130 HISTOEICAL DISCOUESE. 

discliarge of pastoral work. So will God bless us as 
we are faithful to liis truth, and conform ourselves to 
the sure teachings of his Providence. 

The large accession of numbers and growth of the 
church called for the organization of a second congre- 
gation of our order in the city. The blessing of God 
upon the labors of the pastor had filled this buikling 
to its utmost capacity, every seat was occupied, and it 
was felt that to send out a colony was not only desira- 
ble but an absolute necessity. Those who were the 
original movers in this enterprise, while they no doubt 
felt dee23ly the sundering of the tie by which they 
were bound to this ancient church, and could not but 
express regret at their parting from brethren to whom 
they were tenderly attached, and to a ministry that had 
been eminently blessed, were at the same time actuated 
by a conviction that another church was needed to 
meet the growing religious wants of this city. The 
plans of the organization having been perfected, Febru- 
ary 14th, 1843, there was organized in this building 
the Second Eeformed Dutch Church of New-Bruns- 
wick, by a committee of Classis ; and upon Rev. Dr. 
How devolved the pleasing duty of ordaining the first 
Consistory. Very soon after, the Second Church called 
as their first pastor Rev. Dr. Demarest, now of the 
Theological Seminary.* 

The subsequent history of this church proves that 
the men who originated it did not misinterpret the in- 
dications of Providence. And while we with them 
thank God for all the success with which they have been 
crowned, and bless Him for the tokens of His favor in 

* The following pastors have been settled in this church : Rev. David D. 
Demarest, D.D., (1813-52,) Eev. Samuel M. Woodbridge, D.D., (1852-57,) 
Rev. Hugh M. Wilson, D.D., (1858-62,) Rev. John W. Schcnck, (18G2-66,) 
Rev. Chester D. Hartranft, since 186G. 



IIISTOBICAL DISCOURSE. 131 

tlieir rapid and healtliy growth, we will pray tliat botli 
of these churches in harmonious cooperation may seek 
the extension of the Kedeemer's kingdom, and from 
our communions there may go up to the heavenly man- 
sions, a host of redeemed and sanctified souls swelling 
the comj)any of the ransomed around the throne. 

The failure of Dr. How's health in the winter of 
18(30 led him to seek rest from mental and physical 
exercise. Failing to receive the benefit which he hoped 
to derive from this temporary cessation from the labors 
of the ministry, he felt that the time had come for a 
dissolution of the pastoral connection. Accordingly, 
June 14th, 1861, he resigned his call into the hands of 
the Consistory, and his relations as the pastor of this 
church ceased. During his ministry there were received 
into the membership of the church five hundred and 
thirty-eight on profession, and two hundred and twen- 
ty-five by certificate from other churches, in all the 
large number of seven hundred and sixty-three. It is 
a pleasant record that " this relation had been continued 
nearly thirty years in a spirit of entire harmony, and 
that he left them in a highly prosperous condition." '" 

A long vacancy now ensued. But in the mean time 
the Consistory was not idle. In the summer of 1861, 
the old square pews were removed, and the building 
reseated and refurnished in the present modern and 
attractive appearance. The former dependent method 
of raising the salary by subscription was abandoned, 
and the present mode of making the pews assessable 
for the expenses of the church was adopted. Rev. 
Joseph A. Collier was called, but failing health induced 

*Ry the will of John B. Egcrton, in 1857, the church came into jpos- 
session of $1000, to be invested, and the interest used for the benefit of the 
Sabbath-school; and also $3003, "the interest of which shall be used as 
occasion may require for the church edifice and its appurtenances." 



132 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

him to decline tlie invitation. An unsuccessful effort 
was also made to settle Kev. J. L. McNair. 

The pulpit remained vacant until December 3d, 1863, 
Avlien your present pastor was installed. The sermon 
was preached by Dr. How, from the words, "Who is 
sufficient for these things ?" 

During the short period of my ministry the church 
has come into the possession of the adjoining property, 
known as the "Old City Hall," by the gift of John 
Clark, at an expense of $3400. A beautiful and com- 
modious parsonage has been purchased, 106 George 
street, under the management of a committee consisting 
of John Clark, Johnson Letson, Joseph Fisher, Ira C. 
Voorhees, and John Johnson. The amount paid for 
the purchase and improvements was $5580. The ladies 
of the congregation have i3urchased and placed in the 
gallery a noble organ at an expense of $2625. 

There were upon our church rolls, in June, 1863, 
three hundred and. sixteen communicants. We have 
received during my ministry one hundred and sixteen 
by profession and seventy by certificate, in all one hun- 
dred and eightj^-six. Our j^resent communion embraces 
four hundred and sixteen members. 

I have thus traced the history of this church during 
a period of one hundred and fifty years. Great changes 
have been witnessed since your fathers laid the foun- 
dation of our civil, religious, and literary institutions. 
The insignificant hamlet that had grown up around 
Inians's Ferry of a few hundred inhabitants, has spread 
into this goodly city, with its churches, and College, and 
Seminary, and schools, and advantages of commerce and 
trade. The dense forests that surrounded New-Bruns- 
wick have given place to well-cultivated farms, and the 
thrift and enterprise of our rural poj^ulation. The Ra- 



HISTORICAL DISCOUESE. 1S3 

ritans, wlio have gireu a name to our beautiful river, 
Iiave long since clisapj^earecl. The obscure paths through 
dee-p forests along which Dominie Frelinghuysen found 
his way to his distant preaching places, have been ex- 
changed for these iron roads that course our State, the 
route of a mighty traffic. The little church in Burnet 
street, scarce accommodating three hundred worship- 
ers, has given place to two flourishing congregations, 
with these ample buildings inviting more than two 
thousand souls to hear the Gos2:)el. 

That God was with your fathers is the record of our 
history. Since January, 1720, twelve ministers have 
held the pastoral office. Of this number four, Freling- 
huysen, Leydt, J. R. Hardenbergh, and Condict, died 
while in the service of the church. Five of your min- 
isters have held professorships in our literary and theo- 
lo2:ical institutions. Four are still livius;. 

One fact in our history worthy of special interest is 
the large number of young men who have been con- 
nected with our church and have entered the gospel 
ministry. We have upon our roll of communicants the 
names of fifty-one who here made a profession of their 
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and have been commis. 
sioned to preach the Gospel of salvation.""* In addition 
to this number, upward of fifty were received by cer- 
tificate from other churches, and were subsequently 
numbered among the ministry. While we have reason 
to thank God that He has raised up from the midst of 
us so many whom he has honored to be standard-bear- 
ers in His army, we will remember with even deeper 
gratitude that among the most devoted of our foreign 
missionaries, Eev. David Abeel, D.D., Rev. Frederick B. 

* See Appendix V. 



1^4 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 

Tliomj)soii, and Lis wife, Catherine Wyckoff, "were 
born in this city, were baptized and educated in this 
congregation, were members of the catechetical class 
and Sabbath-school, and were here received into the 
full communion of the church." 

We have gathered together some items in our his- 
tory, but have made no attempt to sum up the actual 
amount of good accomplished by this Christian church. 
The souls that have here been educated for heaven, the 
l:>enefactions that have here been poured into the treas- 
ury of the Lord, the influence that has gone forth from 
this house of prayer, the power that has here been felt, 
is known only to God. The existence of a single Chris- 
tian church in a community is an unspeakable blessing, 
and eternity alone can unfold the results of her mission. 

While gratitude is awakened in view of the past, 
our history calls us to be faithful to the present. We 
in our generation are making a history, and those who 
come after us will write up the record of our lives and 
doings. Shall our history be as worthy as that of the 
fxthers ? We meet, to-day, a congregation of the living 
in the midst of the dead. Around us are the monu- 
ments of the departed. The sacred dust of ministers, 
elders, members of this church. Presidents and Profes- 
sors of our College and Seminary, surround these walls. 
This ancient graveyard is the resting place of the illus- 
trious dead. Perhaps no spot of ground has crowded 
within its inclosure names so dear and honored through- 
out the whole bounds of our denomination as that 
which lies beneath the shadow of this venerable build- 
ing. A walk through this unpretending cemetery will 
bring before your eye the names of men which are 
common property to the Church of Christ. Aside from 
the patriots of the K evolution who are resting here 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 135 

until the morning of tlie resurrection ; and elders who 
in their infancy were baptized by the hand of Freliug- 
liuysen, and in their maturity were received into the 
communion under the ministry of Leydt ; and women 
who helped in the Gospel of Christ ; there are beloved 
pastors, and learned professors, and noble benefactors, 
who will awake when the dead hear the voice of the 
Son of God, and come forth. It is meet that the pre- 
cious dust of Hardenbergh, and Condict, and Living- 
ston, and Woodhull, and De Witt, and Schureman, and 
Van Benschoten, and Ludlow, and Van Vranken, and 
Cannon, and Theodore Frelinghuysen should here re- 
pose in waiting for the glorious resurrection unto eternal 
life. We do not wonder that, on reading the inscrip- 
tions on these monuments, one has been reminded " of 
that place of sepulchre in the neighborhood of London 
called Bunhill Fields, where are deposited the remains 
of such men as Bunyan, and Baxter, and Watts, and a 
host of others of whom the world was not worthy." 

Blessed indeed is the memory of the fathers of this 
church, and noble their toils and sacrifices for the ad- 
vancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. "The Lord 
our God be with us as he was with our fathers." They 
have left their names and deeds, and have passed away. 
Do they not appeal to us to do more for Christ than they 
have done? The circumstances that surround us for 
promoting the Redeemer's kingdom are far more favor- 
able than those which the fathers enjoyed. We have 
grown in numbers and in resources ; we may derive ad- 
vantage from the experience and study lessons from 
the errors of the past ; while all these organizations of 
modern times were unknown to those who have gone 
before us. 

Though the oldest organization of our city, this church 



136 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

has not outlived lier influence. Sliall we not recognize 
our responsibility, awakened by the position we occupy 
and the history of God's dealings with us ? Am I wrong 
in cherishing for this ancient church the brighest hopes? 
Progress is the law of Christian life. May we not, then, 
anticipate growth in the piety of her members, in the 
liberality of her benefactions, and in the efficiency of 
her labors for Christ? The most wonderful develojD- 
ments of Divine Providence are now in progress. Move- 
ments are going on in our world which are tending to 
advance the kingdom of our Lord. Let us watch the 
signs of the times and make our church life throb with 
the impulse of a Christian activity. And let this 
church always stand among her sister churches of this 
city, established upon the true principles of the Gospel, 
maintaining the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in its 
purity, and built on Him as the chief corner-stone. 



Part S 



ART Second. 



ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES, 

I' 



M,nh n mnmn 



RICHARD H. STEELE, D.D. 



ANNIVEESAKY EXERCISES. 



At a meeting of the Consistory of the First Reformed Dutch 
Church of N'ew-Brunswick, N. J., held April 11th, 186T, the 
pastor stated that tlie church would complete the one hundred 
and fiftieth year of her history during the present season. 
Wliereui3on, the following action was unanimously adopted : 

" Resolved^ That we hereby express our devout thanksgiving 
to God for the establishment and preservation of this church 
during so long a period, and that the event be celebrated with 
suitable commemorative religious exercises. 

'"'' Resolved^ That we cordially invite all who have been as- 
sociated with our church, or who are interested in our history, 
to unite with us on the interesting occasion of the celebration 
of our one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. 

" Resolved^ That our pastor. Rev. Richard H. Steele, be in- 
vited to deliver, on the day which shall be appointed, a his- 
torical discourse, commemorative of the founding of this Chris- 
tian church." 

The committee who were appointed to take charge of the 
arrangements for the occasion selected Tuesday, October 1st, 
for the proposed celebration. The day of the anniv^ersary was 
one of the most beautiful of the season. The invitation which 
had been circulated brought together hundreds of the friends 
of the church and former members of the congregation, to 
unite with us on this commemorative occasion. 

MORNIXG EXERCISES. 

At ten o'clock, the venerable church edifice, which had 
been tastefully decorated for the occasion with evergreens 
ornamented with flowers, was filled with a large congregation. 



140 ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

Tlie portraits of Drs. Ira Condict, Jolin Ludlow, and Jacob 
J. Janeway, former pastors of the clinrcli, were suspended be- 
hind the pulpit. In the centre was a painting of Dr. John 
H. Livingston, beneath which was a drawing of the old stone 
church erected in 1Y67, on the site of the present edifice. At 
the right and left of the pulpit ■wei'e placed the figures lYlY 
and 18G7. Around the gallery were displayed the names of 
the twelve pastors of the church. Over the pulpit was in- 
scribed the motto, " The Lord our God be with us as he was 
with our fathers." In front of the orchestra was the appro- 
priate sentence, " Praise ye the Lord." 

The pulpit was occupied by the pastor, Her. Isaac Fer- 
ris, D.D., Eev. Gabriel Ludlow, D.D., and Rev. Thomas De 
Witt, D.D. 

Besides these, the following clergymen were noticed in the 
audience : Rev. Drs. Berg, "VVoodbridge, John De Witt, Dema- 
rest, Campbell, Sears, Kip, Ilageman, Cole, Du Bois, P. D. 
Van Cleef, C. C. Van Cleef, See, B. C. Taylor, W. J. R. Tay- 
lor, Proudfit, and Stryker ; and Rev. Messrs. Ten Eyck, Brett, 
Corwin, W. H. Steele, Alonzo Peek, Lloyd, Bodine, Van 
^este, Swain, Willis, Buckelew, Le Fevre, P. Q. Wilson, 
Manley, Peter Quick, Ward, F. Wilson, C. Wyckoff, A. V. 
Wyckoff, David Van Doren, A. M. Quick, Enyard, H. P. 
Thompson, Hartranft, D. A. Jones, McKelvey, Suydam, Riley, 
Doolittle, and Phraner, of the Reformed Dutch Church ; Rev. 
Dr. Devan, of the Baptist ; Rev. Dr. Boggs, of the Episcopa- 
lian ; Rev. Jacob Cooper and Rev Robert Proudfit, of the 
Presbyterian ; and Rev. Messrs. Lawrence Dunn and Thorn, 
of the Methodist. 

The religious services commenced with an invocation by 
the Rev. Dr. Ludlow, who also read the One Hundred and 
Thirty-second Psalm. A select piece was then sung by the 
choir, after which prayer was ofiered by Rev. Dr. Ferris. The 
following hymn, written for the occasion by Rev. Peter Stry- 
ker, D.D., was then sung : 



ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 141 

CELEBRATION HYMN. 

TcNE — Varina. 

A HUNDRED years have come and gone, 

And filt}' more have flown, 
Since Thou, O Lord ! this church ordained. 

And called this flock thy own. 
The men who then were in their prime, 

And children in their bloom, 
With myriads more, who since have lived. 

Are sleeping in the tomb. 

Time, on its rapid flowing tide, 

Sweeps all our race away ; 
Pastors and people seek the dust. 

And buildings show decay. 
But 'mid the wrecks of hoary time 

The church securely stands, 
Increasing only with its age, 

And sending forth its bands. 

And now, God ! we crowd thy gates ; 

Wc join in psalms of praise ; 
With angels and the host redeemed 

Our fervent songs we raise. 
We give Thee thanks for blessings past ; 

We plead for grace to come ; 
Oh ! lead us in our future course, 

And bring us safely home ! 

Come, Holy Spirit, like the dew, 

And fertilizing showers, 
That fall on Ilermon's lofty peak. 

And CarmeFs blooming flowers. 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 

Visit this flock to-day ! 
Be thou their God for centuries yet, 

Their Everlasting Stay. 

The Historical Discourse contained in the preceding pages 
was then delivered by the pastor, after which the following 
ode, written for tlie occasion by Professor David Murray, was 
sunjr : 



142 ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 



Tune — Auld Lang Syne. 

All honor to the names of those 
"Who first these regions trod, 
And in God's fear, here sought to rear 
This Zion of our God. 

Chorus. — Let hearts be glad and lips rejoice 
At what we see to-day ; 
With organ peal and living voice 
Unite our thanks to pay. 

With brave old Holland hearts they crossed 

Through ocean's wave and wind ; 
And naught of trust in God they l«$t, 

Nor left their faith behind. 
Chorus. — Let hearts, etc. 

Here in the wilds, they sought to raise 

An altar to their God ; 
And train their children in the ways 

In which their fathers trod. 
Chorus. — Let hearts, etc. 

And while they plowed with zeal and thrift. 

And. filled their barns with corn ; 
They sought from God the better gift 

Each evening and each morn. 
Chorus. — Let hearts, etc. 

From Heidelberg and Dort they brought 

The dear old creed and psalm ; 
And with their quaint old music broke 

The wilderness's calm. 
Chorus. — Let hearts, etc. 

Through all these years, what burdening fears 

Have here besought relief ! 
Here sorrowing saints have dried their tears. 
And soothed awaj' their grief. 

Chorus. — Then let our hearts and lips rejoice, 
And cheerful music raise ; 
! With organ peal and living voice, 

Give God his due of praise. 

The morning services were concluded with the benediction 
by Kev. Thomas De Witt, D.D. 



ANNIVEllSARY EXERCISES. 143 

In tlie old court-house, adjoining the church, the ladies of 
the congregation had prepared a bountiful collation, to which 
the hundreds of friends who were in attendance on the anni- 
versary were invited. 

AFTERNOON EXERCISES. 

At three o'clock, the audience again assembled in the 
church, when the services were opened by an appropriate 
voluntary by the choir. 

The venerable Eev. Thomas De Witt, D.D., having been in- 
vited to preside, made the opening address. 

He expressed the pleasure he had enjoyed in listening to the 
thoroughly-prepared discourse commemorative of the history 
of this ancient church by its pastor. It is the mother church 
of many in the adjacent field, which has ever been so interest- 
ing and valuable a portion in our Reformed Dutch Church. 

The name of the first Dominie, Frelinghuysen, is well 
known, not only in the annals of our own church, but also in 
those of the religious history of our country. Dr. De Wirt 
remarked that, not many years ago, he found in the hands of 
a Hollander a volume entitled, "Life and Letters of Sicco 
Tjadde." Tjadde was a devoted and successful minister in 
Priesland. He had been written to in reference to procuring 
a minister for the early settlements in ISTew-Jersey. The cir- 
cumstances connected with the acquaintance he gained with 
Mr. Frelinghuysen shed light upon the character he sustained 
of great spirituality of mind, close evangelical preaching, and 
entire fidelity and faithfulness. It is to be regretted that tliis 
volume was not secured at the time. It contains several let- 
ters between Mr. Frelinghuysen and Tjadde, after his removal 
to America. A powerful revival attended Mr. Frelinghuysen's 
labors, the fruits of which are noticed by Tennent and Presi- 
dent Edwards as existing previous to the great revival under 
Whitefield. Salt was then spread around, which still is found, 
not having lost its savor. Dominie Frelinghuysen had a par- 
ticular friend of his early days — Dorsius, of the German Ee- 
formed Church, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania — and a helper 
to him in revival scenes. They each of them received classical 



144 ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

students, and several of tlie American ministers, as Goetcliiiis, 
Yerbryck, Thomas Eomeyn, etc., were educated under Mr. 
Frelingliujsen. The subject of creating an academy was early 
advocated before the Classis of Amsterdam, without any action 
resulting. After the disruption of the churches, in 1755, into 
Coetus and Conferentie, on the question of independent eccle- 
siastical judicatories and the education and training of our 
ministry here, in 1758 Rev. Theodoras Frelinghuysen, of Al- 
bany, son of the elder Frelinghuysen, was commissioned to 
Holland, to labor for the erection of a college, by obtaining 
the consent of the judicatories in that country. He was lost 
at sea on his return. Ecclesiastical recognition was refused, 
until Dr. Livingston, pursuing his studies in Holland, re- 
turned with the olive branch, and the breach was healed. 
This was the same year, 1770, when the charter of Queen's 
College was obtained. 

Dr. De Witt then referred to Dominie Leydt, who is first 
heard of in Dutchess county, near one of the congregations 
over which he was placed in his early ministry. The testi- 
mony of aged persons with whom he conversed represented 
him as of great respectability of character, and honored by the 
church and community. He took a leading part in the Coetus 
controversy, and published two or three pamphlets. Dr. Har- 
denbergh was from one of the most distinguished families in 
Ulster county, not far from the place of Dr. De Witt's na- 
tivity. During the years of his ministry at Marbletown and 
Eochester, in that county, he was the pastor of his mother's 
family. The uniform testimony given by those acquainted 
with him there exhibits him in the same character of mental, 
spiritual, and official excellence wliich rendered him so dis- 
tinguished in New-Jersey. 

In 1810, when Dr. Livingston removed from New- York and 
opened the Theological Seminary, Dr. De Witt entered it, and 
had the privilege of being received into the family of the Rev. 
Dr. Condict, and had thus an opportunity of forming an esti- 
mate of his character. AVith little of animal spirits, and, per- 
haps, in the depth of his humility, inclined to despondency, 
there was a uniform breathing of deep piety. lEis counsels 
were always wise, and marked with practical sound sense. 



ANNIVERSARY E5ERCISES. 145 

Ilis preaching:, witliout brilliancy, was always sound, instruc- 
tive, and experimental. At this time. Queen's College had been 
revived, and he Avas the acting President. lie stood among 
the most distinguished in the church for faithful and useful 
labors in the revival of the College. In the summer of 1811, 
he was seized with violent disease. Daring the progress of 
the sickness, his soul was in conflict as to his spiritual state. 
On the night of his death, when it was supposed he was sink- 
ing fast, he aroused, and spoke calmly, deliberately : " Jesus is 
mine, and I am his. I know whom I have believed. He 
givetli me the victory." On the Sabbath following the death 
of Dr. Condict, as the work of pulling down the old church 
had commenced. Dr. Livingston preached a sermon in the 
Presbyterian church on the text, " I am the God of Bethel," 
which was one of the most powerful he ever preached. His 
allusion to the cotemporaneous breaking down of the earthly 
tabernacle of Dr. Condict and of the church edifice wherein 
he had labored so long was most happy. 

ADDRESS OF KEV. SAMUEL M. WOODBRIDGE, D.D. 

Dr. "Woodbridge represented the Theological Seminary, and 
spoke substantially as follows : 

I bring to this venerable church the salutations of the most 
ancient theological seminary in America. It is proper we 
should mingle in your festivities ; for not only have the inte- 
rests of the church and the school of the prophets been almost 
identical, but we have received from you benefits we ought 
and do now gratefully acknowledge in the name of genera- 
tions of the sons of the prophets. It is not merely that you 
have assisted the Seminary pecuniarily, nor that you have 
given two of your pastors to be its professors, but that to your 
solemn assembly we have been permitted to come from week 
to week to gain strength for the duties of life, and to express 
publicly to God the adoration of our spirits. For there is 
nothing can take the place in the Christian life of the worship 
of the great congregation ; no private study or meditation, no 
instructions in the lecture-room, no private or social prayer. 
It is to the house of God the Christian tm-ns when he would 
10 



146 ANNIVERSAEY EXERCISES. 

find rest, and here lie finds the special supply for tlie great 
want of his spiritual nature. Here hundreds of our ministry, 
perhaps the majority of those now living, have joined in praise 
and supplication, here have listened with gladness to the sounds 
of the blessed Gospel, and here have gathered around the holy 
supper to commemorate the dying love of the Lord, and gone 
away refreshed, and to carry the influences here received 
through all future life. I have felt for years, and the feeling 
increases, that we can hardly overrate the influence of the pastors 
of these churches upon the students who look to tliem as living 
exemplars of what, in the Seminary, can only be taught as the- 
ory; and I can not here forbear giving testimony (and I am 
sure I speak the sentiment of all who have been witnesses) to 
the faithfuhiess of that servant of Christ who yet lingers 
amongst us, and who for thirty years ministered to this peo- 
ple ; and I am sure all my brethren will agree in saying that 
never have we seen in liim an act unbecoming a pastor over, 
the flock of God, nor have heard from him a sentiment un- 
soifnd or unevangelical. But the church has also received 
great benefits from the Seminary, too great to be told. Here 
its professors, one after another, have preached the Word of 
Life. I shall never forget the impression made upon me when 
I first entered this house and thought of the eloquent, and 
venerable, and godly men who had here proclaimed the truth. 
It seems as if upon these walls yet lingered the echoes of their 
voices — the voices of Livingston, Schureman, "Woodhull, De 
"Witt, Ludlow, Cannon,Yan Vranken, and McClelland. These 
stones may be silent, but the words of these men yet resound 
in living hearts. 

What thoughts arise at the mention of a hundred and fifty 
years in connection with the history of this church ! As Dr. 
De Witt was speaking of the death of Dr. Condict, I was led to 
think of the unwritten history of the Church of Christ. IIow 
little we know of the true glory of the church, buried out of 
our sight, seen only by the eye of God and of angels ! Those 
deep experiences of the saints, those inward joys and griefs 
with which no stranger intermeddleth, those prayers with 
strong crying and tears, those triumphs of the soul over fear, 
and death, and hell — what know we of these ? We see but just 



ANNIVEESARY EXERCISES. 147 

the surface of tins great ocean, whose depths are penetrated b}'' 
tlic eye of Ilini who searcheth all things. How glorious must 
have been this secret history for a hundred and fifty years ! 

What a work, too, has been accomplished here, a work so 
wonderful that the angels have gazed upon it with joy and 
praise ! The arrest of the sinner on the path of death, the con- 
viction, the illumination, the conversion, the repentance, the 
faith. on the Son of God, the struggle against sin, the wres- 
tling of the soul against princij^alities and powers, the victory — 
who can doubt angels have been within these walls anxious 
spectators? A greater than angels has been here in the midst 
of his brethren ; and he also, who on the day of Pentecost 
came down like a rushing mighty wind, has made this place 
awful and this city tremble by His presence. How many of 
those now in their graves have been cheered and comforted 
here ; and this leads us to think of the close connection of the 
earthly and the heavenly church. The living and the dead arc 
one in Christ, nay, the dead are the living. We have sometimes 
i-egrctted that our cemeteries are being so removed from the 
churches. There is a beauty in the spectacle of the graves by 
the house of God, as if signifying that the church has not lost 
its interest in those reposing in the dust. They are still citi- 
zens in the kingdom of Christ, that glorious kingdom which 
disregards death, extending into the heaven of heavens, and 
in its vast circumference taking in the general assembly and 
church of the first born, and the spirits of the just made per- 
fect, reaching also to our poor world and embracing the mise- 
rable and fallen, the trembling sinners who seek refuge in 
Jesus. 

And we arc reminded, too, of the perpetuity of the church. 
Our fathers, where are they ? and the prophets, do they live 
forever? The fathers are gone, but instead of the fatliers are 
the children. The church can not perish, because God is her 
life. Human associations rise and pass away, but the society 
of Jesus, by a few simple appointments of her divine head, 
sends down her name and principles from generation to gene- 
ration. In her history a century and a half is but a brief 
period. She counts her years by thousands. Arts, codes of 
laws, kingdoms perish, the earth may be removed, and the 



148 ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

mountains carried into the midst of tlie sea, but the city of 
God remaineth. 

ADDRESS OF REV. CHARLES S. HAGEJIxYN, D.D. 

Dr. Hageman represented the ministry that had been reared 
by this church. In a feeling and impressive manner he de- 
scribed the scene when thirty years ago he stood here and 
gave himself to God and to the ministry of reconciliation, and 
gave some interesting incidents connected with the great re- 
vival which shook the city and brought so many into the 
church, when so many of his class were converted and dedi- 
cated themselves to the ministry. He alluded to the ability, 
the fidelity, and zeal of the former pastor of this church, (Dr. 
How,) and to others who had preceded him, to illustrate the 
influence of the ministry, and to show the influence of this 
church ; that the fires that had been kindled upon this altar 
had burned upon many other altars lighted by those who had 
gone from this church ; that by her ministry she had exerted 
an influence both in church and state which could not be fully 
known. The influence of a ministry of one hundred and fifty 
years was inconceivable; that such men as Frelinghuysen and 
Leydt had prepared the way for the establishment of our in- 
stitutions, and of civil and religious liberty; that they had 
been faithful to the cause of their country, had labored ardu- 
ously and successfully for God, and their country, and human- 
ity during the Revolution, and others with their spirit had 
battled nobly for truth, and justice, and liberty in the conflicts 
of later days, and helped to free it from oppression. 

He hesitated not to afiirm that the state, with her illustrious 
names of senators, governors, statesmen, owed more to the 
ministry for the welfare of the country than she would ac- 
knowledge. 

Some of these men had lived previous to the establishment 
of our literary and theological institutions ; before the great 
benevolent enterprises of the church were undertaken ; they 
prepared the way for them, and indeed made their organiza- 
tion necessary. 

He referred to the fact that no record had been found to in- 
dicate the burial-place of the first pastor of the church, as an 



ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 149 

illustration of the neglect witli which great men are sonietitnes 
treated. 

One of the striking results of the labors of some of tlieso 
pastors was that many young men were induced to enter the 
ministr3\ In this respect they were worthy of our example. 

lie said that the influence of the ministry that had gone 
forth from the church was inconceivable. To have some idea 
of it, it would be necessary to collect together those who had 
been saved by them, all the kind, words spoken, the hearts 
comforted, the minds impressed and directed; to look into the 
goldeif censer and see the prayers offered by them, to see the 
harvest from the good seed sown, and even to look within the 
vail to those redeemed and saved through this ministry. The 
influence of a faithful ministry was cumulative, like the rising 
sun culminating in noontide glory, like the flowing tide increas- 
ino- in volume and streno;tli until it overflows the strand. 

He urged his brethren to thank God and take courage, for 
though ministers died and passed away, yet the Lord lived and 
his church would triumph. 

ADDEESS OF KEV. W^ILLIAZSI H. CAMPBELL, D.D. 

Dr. Campbell, President of the College, said : 
I flnd the meaning of this day's exercises, as well as the war- 
rant for them, in Psalm 48 : 12-14, " Walk about Zion, and 
n-o round about her : tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well 
her bulwarks, consider her palaces ; that ye may tell it to the 
generation following. For this God is our God forever and 
ever : he will be our guide even unto death." 

In obedience to the command, we have walked about this 
Zion ; we have gone round about her for the hundred and flfty 
years of her history, we have told her towers, marked well her 
bulwarks, and considered her palaces. And now in view of 
it all we cry, "We have thought of thy loving kindness, O 
God, in the midst of thy temple." " Out of Zion, the perfec- 
tion of beauty, God hath shined." It is emphatically a histo- 
ry of divine loving-kindness. And with grateful hearts and 
strong confidence in a covenant-keeping God this church will 
tell to generations following what God has done for them, and 



150 ANNIVEESAEY EXERCISES. 

will assure the cliildren and the cliildren's children that this 
God, who has done all these great things for the fathers, is oar 
God forever and ever ; he will be onr guide even unto death. 

And now, in a word, what has God done so signally for this 
church ? What are these towers, bulwarks, and palaces which 
he has here erected ? Let us have definite notions on this 
point, for indeliniteness here will be imparted to our thankful- 
ness, and to all the experiences and duties which are founded 
iij)on it. 

And the great noteworthy fact in this history of a hundred 
and fifty years is this : God has Diade this church a iiniforTn 
attestant^ in doctrine and life, of the truths for the teaching of 
v)hich he founded the church. 

The great purpose of the founding of the church is given by 
Zechariah, in the fourth chapter of his prophecy. The s^-m- 
bol of the golden candlestick, with its seven branches and its 
seven times seven pipes for the full supply of the oil of illu- 
mination, teach, that the church is to shed abroad the light of 
divine truth in the world ; and the " two anointed ones," (verse 
fourteen,) denoting Joshua the high-priest and Zerubbabel the 
king, the two official ones of the theocracy at the time of 
the vision, symbolize the two great doctrines of religion — the 
high priest Joshua symbolizing the atonement, the divinely ap- 
pointed sacrifice for sin ; and Zerubbabel the king symbolizing 
the doctrine of obedience, in other words, the sanctifhcation of 
those for whom atonement had been made. These two truths 
are the great doctrines for the dissemination of which the 
church was founded. And here for a hundred and fifty years, 
in the pulpit and in the life of this church, these two doctrines 
have been uniformly, persistently, unceasingly held up to the 
world. Here hundreds and thousands have heard these truths, 
and witnessed the influence of them, and been blessed by the 
preaching and example. All the life of this church has been 
spent in exhibiting these truths and in furthering the influence 
of them. What church can show such a galaxy of pastors as 
this? They, twelve in number, from Frelinghuysen down, 
may be fitly called the twelve apostles of this church. 

It was for the furtherance of these two great truths that 
Queen's, now Eutgers, College was founded. The thought of 



ANNIVEKSAKY EXERCISES. 151 

tlie College originated witli Frelingluiysen, tlie pastor of this 
cliorcli, and the thought was carried out and made a fact by 
Dominie Leydt, Dr. Condict, Dr. Ilardenbergh, and all the 
others. And the College was placed here rather than else- 
where just because this church was here, and because the Col- 
lege was the natural outgrowth of the life of this individual 
church. And whatever Kutgers College now is or may here- 
after become it owes, in large measure, to this churcli, just 
as the child owes its future well being to the parent. Key. T. 
J. Frelinghuysen, as I have already said, conceived the idea of 
the College. And you have heard from the Historical Dis- 
course of your pastor, delivered this day, what the pastors 
Leydt, Hardenbergh, Condict, and Sclmreman, and the others^ 
did for it. This church gave the time of Drs. Ilardenbergh 
and Condict as instructors in the College ; it has always given 
money liberally for its endowment and prosperity. On the 
last effort for its endowment the work began in this church. 
Dr. How, the pastor, presented the subject to the people on 
the Sabbath morning and declared that the success of the 
measure depended upon what the members of the Dutch 
churches in ISTew-Brunswick thought of the College and did 
for it. He said the College must have a recommendation from 
our churches in New-Brunswick in form of a large subscrip- 
tion to endowment, or it could not succeed. Then on the next 
day he called on you at your houses, and you, as well as him- 
self, did give nobly. And as Dr. How, your pastor, and you, 
the people, then did, so your pastors and this people have ever 
done for the College from the beginning down to the present 
day. And all this has been done that Christ, the atoning sac- 
rifice for sin, and the Holj^ Ghost, the sanctifier fur pardoned 
sinners, might be known, believed on, and everywhere influen- 
tial. And thus the great purpose for which the College was 
founded was to hold up these two great truths. 

How great, then, the influence of this church ! Dr. Thomas 
De Witt, a few moments since, comj)ared that influence to a 
river. The figure is eminently scriptural. How beautifully 
and clearly is all this brought to view in Ezekiel's vision of 
the Holy Waters, (chapter 47.) The prophet sees waters issu- 
ing forth from the house of God, and they pass along at the 



152 ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. ' 

soutli side of tlie altar of atonement. Now, these waters are 
the streams of influence for good which go forth from God's 
house and God's people. Their flowing forth from the sanc- 
tuary, and in such close proximity to the altar of burnt ofl^er- 
ino;, shows not onlv the source whence the influence comes, 
but also the only ground upon which any influence can be 
availing for good ; it must stand in the closest connection with 
the atoning sacriflce of Jesus Christ. Mark, too, the growth 
of the stream. At a thousand cubits from their source the 
waters reach to the prophet's aidcles, a thousand cubits fur- 
ther they reach to his knees, a thousand cubits further they 
reach to his loins, a thousand cubits further and the waters 
had become a river which the prophet could not pass over; the 
■waters had risen and had become waters to swim in. How 
vast, then, the growing influence of good men ! Mark, too, the 
eflfects of these constantly augmenting waters. They flow on 
in full stream to the Dead Sea, the Sea of Sodom — that spot 
which, above every other on earth, stands as the symbol of 
spiritual death and of the wrath of God. And as soon as the 
full stream reaches the desolate spot, all revives. The waters 
of the Dead Sea are healed, they abound with fish, and men 
spread their nets from town to town upon its once more thick- 
ly populous shores. 

How striking and beautiful is this lesson ot the prophet! 
The influence of the church, exemplifying in teaching and life 
the renewing and sanctifying doctrines of Christ, shall convert 
the spots of earth where spiritual death reigns into a para- 
dise of God, Such is the history of this church which you are 
to tell to the generation following, assuring them that " this 
God is our God forever and ever ; He w^ill be our guide even 
unto death." 

ADDRESS OF KEV. P. D. VAN CLEEF, D.D. 

As we fullow the history of the church of God, we seem to 
be tradngthe course of some noble river as it rises in a clear 
mountain spring, and rolls on through rocky gorges and ver- 
dant meadows, fertilizing every land, and bearing upon its 
bosom rich argosies freighted with the happiness and the hopes 



ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 153 

of liiimanitj. The liistorj of eacli congregation resembles 
that of tlie clinrch at large, and is marked, both in its origin 
and progress, by the same -wonderful providences. With deep 
interest and devont thankfulness we have followed your be- 
loved pastor this morning, as he piloted us along the course of 
this tributary of the great river of life. We have rejoiced in 
the shade, and have been refreshed by the fruit of the trees 
that lined its banks. This stream, like the famous river of 
Egypt, has diverged into numerous branches, which have irri- 
gated many a harvest-field. One of these water-courses it has 
been made my pleasing duty to explore, and I bring 3'ou some 
of the fruits found growing in the fields it has fertilized. 

We have heard of the long line of pastors who, for the space 
of one hundred and fifty years, have served this church. Let 
me speak of those who have been converted under their minis- 
fry, and have gone forth to perpetuate their influence. In this 
way we may gain some conception of the moral forces that 
have been developed here during five generations. The influ- 
ence of this church has no geographical limit. The world has 
been its field. The good it has done is not to be estimated by 
the number who have gone from this sanctuary to swell the 
redeemed throng before the throne of God and the Lamb. 
How often have angelic messengers ascended to heaven with 
glad tidings, as one after another, parent and child, through 
successive generations, has been born into this household of 
faith, and taken his place at the sacramental table, and become 
a light in the world, and a grain of salt to spread the savor of 
a godly life. But how grandly that idea of influence looms 
up when we remember that nearly fifty young men, admitted 
to their first communion here, have gone into the world to 
preach the everlasting Gospel. Some of them, doubtless, had 
been trained in youth under other faithful pastors ; but here 
they first publicly gave themselves to Christ. 

It can not be out of place on this memorable day to recall 
the names of our brethen who, though absent in body, many 
of them, are with us in spirit. The following list includes 
only those who were received on confession of ffiith. (For a 
list of members who have gone from this church to preach 
the Gospel, see Ai^pendix V.) There are nearly as many 



154 ANKIVEESARY EXERCISES. 

more who wore members by certificate at tlie time of their 
licensure ; for at one period tlie most of our graduates were, 
for the sake of convenience, licensed by the Classis of New- 
Brmiswick. 

Many of these have ceased from their labors on earth ; the 
remainder, with a few exceptions, occasioned by age or phy- 
sical disability, are actively employed. Time will not permit 
me to speak of all these brethren and fathers. I must recall the 
name of one, however, who was cut off in early life. Abraham 
Y. Wyckoff was a child of this church. Amiable, studious, and 
consistent, he was beloved by all. Ilis examination for ordi- 
nation took place at the same time with my own, before the 
Classis of Greene, within the bounds of which he spent the 
greater portion of his ministry, which it pleased the Master to 
limit to six short years, when he was called to receive his 
crown. 

And now pause and reflect upon the influence that has gone 
forth from this church through the sons she has given to the 
ministry. The average ministerial career of thirty-six of these 
pastors is, up to this time, twenty-three years, and the aggre- 
gate, eight hundred and twenty-four years. They have pro- 
bably preached a hundred thousand sermons, and have been 
instrumental in bringing many others into the ministry. And 
yet how feeble the conception we can gain from all this of the 
power of a single church among the moral forces which, under 
Providence, control the destinies of the world. 

But the sons of this church have been called to other posi- 
tions. Four of them have filled, and three are now occupying 
professorial chairs. Others have carried the Gospel to the 
heathen. The records of the church are adorned Avith the 
names of David Abeel, Frederick B. Thompson, and William 
H. Steele. These were the men wdio hazarded their lives for 
the Gospel. The flrst was the pioneer missionary of our 
church to the Chinese Empire, and the others remained and 
labored on the island of Borneo until the last hope of estab- 
lishing our mission there had expired. Yet they labored not 
in vain. The Dyak people were not converted and made a 
Christian nation, as we fondly hoped ; but may we not in- 
dulge the pleasing thought that at least one Dyak voice shall 



AXXIYERSARY EXERCISES. 155 

Mt last mingle witli tlie liimdrecls and tlionsands from China in 
tlie everlasting song of the redeemed ; that some will rise up 
from the Archipelago, as well as from the Celestial Empire, 
to bless this church, and to bless the men who carried the Gospel 
to benighted Asia ? Thus this church has spread like the great 
banyan tree of the East. A branch has stretched across the con- 
tinent and taken root in the fertile soil of the "West, Another 
has reached over the ocean and rooted itself in the eastern 
hemisphere. These spring up, and in their turn take root 
again ; and thus the process will go on until all the living 
churches of God shall have intertwined their spreading 
branches, and formed one vast tree of life under which the 
nations shall find a shelter. 

It would be interesting to know by what steps God, in his 
providence, has conducted each of his servants into the minis- 
try. I can not speak for others, but may be pardoned for say- 
ing that, in reviewing the chain of providences that led me to 
become a minister, the link that I recall most distinctly was a 
simple question from my pastor, the Kev. Dr. How, when, a Sab- 
bath-school scholar, during the precious revival of 1837, I was 
examined for admission to the communion of this church. He 
said, " Have you thought that you would like to stndy for the 
ministry?" I could give no direct answer, but the words 
dropped like seed-corn in the soil of memory and reflection, 
and they germinated and grew into a desire, and then ripened 
into a purpose to preach the Gospel. Oh ! how much a faithful 
pastor can do, by the most simple and easy methods, to kindle 
a desire for usefulness in the young heart, and how great the 
debt of gratitude he has a right to claim from those whom he 
has instrumentally led into the gospel ministry. I take plea- 
sure to-day in recognizing this obligation to my former vene- 
rated pastor, to whose repeated conversations in his study I 
was so much indebted, when, with unwearied kindness, he in- 
structed me, removed my doubts and difficulties, and threw 
the light of wisdom and experience on my path. 

Pardon this personal digression. Do not weigh in the bal- 
ances of cold propriety words forced from the lips by the 
gushing memories of the past, those " liappy, golden days," 
when even the sky seemed brighter and the earth greener 



156 ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

after tlic reviving showers of the Holy Spirit. Who can for- 
get a revival, when associated with the memories of his early 
Christian life and love ? Who can forget the communion Sab- 
baths that dawned so beautiful and bright ? I recall one of 
them. It was a lovely September morning, in 1837. Memory 
brings back the crowded congregation ; the tremulous voice of 
Elder Stothoff*, as it rose from this platform and mingled Avith 
the swelling volume of song that filled the sanctuary with the 
fragrant incense of praise ; the earnest prayer ; the rich gospel 
sermon ; the old sacramental form, so redolent of Calvary and 
Gethsemane ; the long list of names of those welcomed for the 
first time to the table, and mine among them ; and then the 
bread and Avine touched w^ith trembling hands and quivering 
lips ; the words of exhortation ; and the hymn of tlianksgiving. 
My vision of that sacramental Sabbath would not be complete 
without the tall form of gray-haired Cisesar leading the large 
number of colored communicants from the gallery up the aisle 
to the table, Avhere our pastor welcomed them with the same 
invitation to the gospel feast. And I used to think he some- 
times kept his best thoughts for them, and his words were so 
simple and touching as lie spoke of the dear Saviour who pro- 
mised that all his people should drink with him 

" The grape's first juice, 
Fresh from the deathless vine that blooms in heaven." 

But I must close. Let me leave as a theme for reflection, 
The self-perpetuating power of the cliurch through the ministry 
which she is raising u-p. You remember the incident of the 
conversion of a Hessian drummer-boy, under a sermon of Dr. 
Livingston, in a barn at Poughkeepsie during the Revolution. 
That boy was Cliristian Bork, under whose ministry John 
Scudder was converted, the father of our beloved missionaries 
in India. Let the church remember the promises of enlarge- 
ment and triumph which Christ has left her, and never forget 
his command to " pray the Lord of the harvest that he would 
send forth laborers into his harvest." 

" lie who slumbereth not nor sleepeth, 
His ancient watch around us keepeth ; 



ANNIVERSAEY EXERCISES'. 157 

Still sent from his creating hand, 
New witnesses for truth shall stand — 
New instruments to sound abroad 
The Gospel of a risen Lord." 

ADDRESS OF REV. D. D. DEMAREST, D.D. 

I feel honored in having been selected to present on this 
occasion the salutations of the churches that have been organ- 
ized chiefly with members from this venerable congregation. 
The daughters come with hearty and joyous greetings to their 
mother, and on this her one hundred and fiftieth birthday 
anniversary compliment her on her continued freshness and 
beauty, and the proofs she is giving of undiminished vitality 
and energy. They come with prayers that God will bless her 
as she has never been blessed before, and that in the time to 
come many daughters may be born to her who shall rise up 
and call her blessed. 

A little band of three sisters aj)pears to-day. 1. Spotswood, 
organized about the year 1820, and so approaching the close of 
her first half-century. A church that, owing to the force of 
circumstances beyond human control, has never reached a 
point that entitled her to be called a strong and influential 
church. Yet she has been a steadily shining light. Throngli 
all these years she has perseveringly maintained the public 
worship of God, and furnished healing, rest, and a home for 
many a sick and burdened and wandering souL The little 
band of disciples there are to-day proving the reality of their 
spiritual life by zealous and self-denying efforts in tlie erection 
of a new house of worship. 

2. Middlebush, organized about thirty-three years ago, and 
which has given the ordinances to a generation. Faithfully 
have all who have there worshiped been instructed and 
warned, and well have the young there been trained in the 
doctrines of godliness and in the spirit and forms of devotion. 
Nobly has the church of Middlebush done according to her 
ability for the work of church extension by her regular and 
liberal contributions to the cause of missions. She is now re- 
pairing and beautifying her house of prayer. 

3. Second New-Brunswick, organized early in 1843, and 



158 ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

consequently within a few months of the end of the first quar- 
ter-century of her life. Of the feeble beginnings of this church, 
of her early struggles, of the devotion and perseverance of her 
founders, I would love to speak if it were proper. Yet I can 
not allow the occasion to pass without bearing testimony to 
the purity of the motives of those who went forth from this 
churcli to form that new organization. They loved their old 
home none the less because of their attachment to the new. I 
would also love to indulge the feelings stirred up by memories 
and associations connected with the most interesting portion 
of my own early ministry. Surely I may to-day mention with 
gratitude that for eight and a half years I was permitted to 
labor in cordial cooperation with the faithful servant of God 
who so long ministered at these altars, and who, having fin- 
ished his public work, is now waiting for his crown. "We re- 
gret his bodily absence to-day. We thank God that he is 
present in spirit. We call to remembrance the former times, 
and we all rejoice together in the prosperity of that young 
and vigorous church. From her contracted tabernacle, dear 
to some of us as the place where the few were wont to meet, 
she has gone forth into her spacious and beautiful edifice, in 
wdiich we hope that many will, through many generations, be 
born into the kingdom. 

I wish that I could speak in behalf of a larger band of sis- 
ters. But it is not for me, and on a day like this, even to hint 
that there should have been a larger family. It is not for me 
to intimate that within the limits of the territory originally 
solely occupied by this church there is room for more of her 
order, or that Providence has clearly indicated a path of duty 
that has been shunned. On the contrary, I believe that there 
are laws that govern the multij)lication of churches in this 
land that carry themselves into efiect. AVe have no State 
authority to regulate this matter, no geographical division 
into parishes fixed by law. We usually do not even look to 
ecclesiastical bodies to take the initiative. Wherever and 
whenever Christian people feel that there is a time and place 
for a new church, they will move in the matter, asking only 
the countenance and authority of those who are over them in 



ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES, 159 

the Lord, and tlie sympathy and prayers and Christian help 
of those from among wliom they go. 

I will go further, and utter an earnest protest against tlie 
heedless and nnreasonable censures that are often brouglit 
against our fathers for having been so slow to extend the de- 
nomination and organize new churches, and for suffering the 
ground to be occupied by others. Ignorance is the most 
charitable excuse for such censures. Let any one study the 
history of the struggles of our church lor more than one hun- 
dred and fifty years to maintain an existence in this country in 
the face of tremendous and overwhelming difficulties, and ho 
will admire the perseverance and rejoice in the success of the 
fathers. Extension ! Progress ! Formation of new chnrclies ! 
Why, the question was one of life, not of growth ; of holding 
fast, not branching out. Let any one but consider the speedy 
passing away of tlie Dutch authority from ISTew-Netherland 
and the clieck to immigration, the obstinate adherence to the 
Dutcli language, ecclesiastical dependence on the mother coun- 
try, difficulty of obtaining ministers, troubles of Coetus and 
Conferentie, and he will prate no more about the slow and 
deliberate movements of the fathers. And how can any one, 
in view of these hindrances, sa}'' that it is disgraceful that the 
Reformed Dutch Church is not now the leadino; church amono; 
nearly a million of people in the city of Is'^ew-York, because 
two hundred years ago she stood alone in New-Amsterdam a 
Dutcli village of 1500 inhabitants, one tenth the present size 
of our little city of New-Brunswick ? 

Besides, it is the glory of our land that no denomination has 
the right of preemption or preoccupancy to any part of tlie 
soil. We have religious liberty. A church long established 
may not forbid one of another order to spring up by its side. 
There is room, it is true, for Christian courtesy and charity, 
especially among those essentially alike, which should prevent 
an unnecessary multiplication of feeble churches. But how 
can it be otherwise than that in places of importance all the 
leading denominations should be represented, no matter which 
was first on the ground ? A church should look after the 
members of its own household ; but how can it expect to 
bring under its care those whose preferences are in other direc- 



160 AISTNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

tions? I for one say, let ns rejoice in tlie dwelling together of 
Presbyterians, Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists, Reformed 
Dutch, and give thanks for the practical proof that tlierc 
can be unity of spirit and aim where there is diversity of form. 
If our own church be small among these divisions of the sac- 
ramental host, let us remember that an eloquent Metliodist 
brother, now in glory, has called us the heavy artillery, which 
part of an army is alwaj^s small in numbers in proportion to 
the weight of metal thrown by it into the ranks of the enem3^ 
But the time for progress and extension has come, and there 
is a wide field before us. Instead of blaming the fathers, let 
us ask ourselves wdiat are we doing. As the spokesman for 
new churches, I am here the representative of progress. Our 
doctrines and order should spread among the American peo- 
ple. We have a work to do for Christ. We must not sell our 
birthright. We must improve it. Growth is essential now to 
life. This church is sound in the faith on that point. Her 
sons are at work in heathen lands and in our western domain. 
Shall she not also look nearer home ? Shall she not ask. What 
could be a more fitting memorial of these one hundred and 
fifty years than a church rising in some portion of our city 
where needed, where the members of our own household, sent 
forth witli our blessing and lielp, may worship God according 
to the customs of the fathers ? 

During the exercises Prof. David Murray read the following 
poem, which he contributed to the occasion : 

"THE OLDEN TIME." 

'Tis good for our pride 

To throw things aside — 
The business and pleasures to which we are tied, 
The burdens we carry, the hobbies we ride. 
The projects we form, and the plans we have tried — 
And linger an hour, or even a day. 
O'er the records of things which have passed away ; 
Bring out the old papers and family scraps, 
Overhaul the old boxes, and bureaus, and traps, 

And if you can bear it, 

Poke round in the garret, 
Bring down the old love-letters, in which long ago 
Our sainted old grandmothers conclusively show 



ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 161 

That they used to make love in that earlier day 

Very much, after all, in the modern way. 

Then while you are at it, go empty the barrel 

Which holds some Dutch ancestor's best Sunday apparel ; 

And trig j^ourself out in his coat and his hat, 

And his best Sunda}'' waistcoat, be careful of that ; 

'Tis not to be sneezed at, although, like enough. 

It maj^ still hold a scent of the old fellow's snufF. 

Be sure try his breeches 

Of a length that just reaches 
Adown to the knee, whence a stocking so neat 
Completes the remainder down to the feet. 

And then, if you choose. 

You may try on his shoes, 
And have them well polished before put in use, 
And rub up the buckles with the least bit of leather, 
For copper will tarnish in this sort of weather. 
Then he wore down behind a long, slender cue. 
Tied up in an eelskin with ribbon of blue. 
Which looked all the world, folks have profanely said, 
Like a frying-pan handle stuck on his head. 
Go look in the glass in this f;incy old rig. 
And if you are not a conceited j'oung prig, 
I am sure you will own that old Diedrich then 
Was not such a bad-looking specimen. 

Now when we've begun, 

Why, under the sun. 
Can't we go a bit further, and just make a run 
On our grandmother's bandbox and presses. 
And bring out from thence a few of her dresses^ 
By the by, she was noted a belle in her day. 
And quite turned the heads of the men, they say ; 
And even Lord Howe, the British commander. 
Is said to have sat by her side and fanned her. 
But good Dame Katrina quite stirred up his dander 
By marrying Diedrich, whom he thought a gander. 

Let one of these damsels I hold in my eye 
Be pleased just for once these dresses to try, 
And show us Kati-ina in Sunday attire 
All ready to walk to the church with our sire. 

This lilac brocade. 

With bright silver braid. 
Ah ! this will become you now to a shade, 
A little bit faded, but what of that ? 
A little too full, for Dutch dames were fat; 
11 



162 ANKIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

But a very good dress, notwithstanding that, 
And fit to adorn the queen who sat 
At Solomon's feet to hear him chat. 
You will see it is short, and meant for the street, 
And did not quite cover Dame Katrina's feet ; 
For who so cruel would try to hide 
Those bright silver buckles, Katrina's pride ? 
Now try on this bonnet, 
And depend upon it, 
You will cut a figure when you once don it. 
But first you must add a few inches more 
To the height your waterfall had before ; 
And one "heart-breaker" must hang down behind, 
To be played with and tossed by the wanton wind. 
Then put on the powder, and do not spare, 
For Katrina was proud of her golden hair. 
Now on with this " coal-scuttle," large and wide. 
With good broad ribbons securely tied. 
Why, bless your heart, there's enough of that. 
If only the stuff were spread out flat. 
To make a good dozen, as large as the mat 
Which ladies now wear, and call a hat. 

Good Diedrich, he was grave and stout, 

And his wife was nowise thin ; 
And a dimpled smile kept playing about 

The good little woman's chin. 
And on Sunday morn, when the church-bell rang. 
They always started when they heard its clang; 
And walked to church like a godly pair, 
While bright little Volkert, their son and heir, 
Went trotting before, and always were there 
A good many minutes before the first prayer. 
Good Diedrich took, in the winter weather, 
A foot-stove of tin, well-soldered together, 
And filled with water at a boiling heat. 
To protect from the cold their freezing feet. 
On very cold days, as a very great treat, 
It served little Volkert as a nice warm seat. 
Where the boy might be broiled like a piece of meat. 
For, remember, that no one ever hears 
Of a stove in a church back a hundred years, 
Still less of a furnace, or as it would seem, 
Of even a patent for heating by steam. 

The church was old, the church was queer ; 

Would you like to look in on the Sabbath-day, 



ANNIVEKSAEY EXERCISES. 

And witness their strange, old-fashioned gear. 
And gather a hint of the ancient way ? 
The walls were plain, the roof was square, 
The carpets — ah! well, they were not there ; 
And the pews — of course, they were better bare, 
Ifor cushions were deemed a carnal affair. 
In the centre aisle the bell-rope hung, 
Where the sexton stood, when he puffed and rung ; 
And the people said he was cross as a bear 
If any one jostled against him there. 
And the boys in the pews had a wholesome fear 
Of Johannes's anger, when he was near. 
At the pulpit-front the vorsinger stood — 
His nose was large and his voice was good — 
And he pitched his tune as he pitched his hay, 
To the right and left in a frantic way. 
And the old Dutch psalms made the welkin ring, 
For Dutchmen are strong when they come to sing. 

But the pride of the church, the glory of all. 
Was the pulpit which towered against the wall. 
'Twas set so high, said the wits of the town. 
For the preaching was heavy, and would settle dov,-n. 
Like an egg-cup it stood on a narrow base, 
While the good old dominie held the place 
Of the spoon in the empty shell, 

To stir in the pepper and salt, and he stirred them well. 
Over his head a sounding-board hung. 
Like a vast extinguisher, above him swung. 
Ready to fall and put out his light. 
As candles are quenched at dead of night. 
Will somebody put a contrivance so neat 
Directly over each congressional seat, 
So that Colfax then by pulling a string 
Might the noisy men to silence bring ? 

Well to the front the deacons sat. 
All in a goodly row. 

Grave and sober, and generally fat, 
With linen as white as snow. 
Gravely they sat till the sermon was done. 
Then gravely they rose for their task, one by one ; 
And taking the bags from where they had been. 
Passed them to gather the pennies in. 
Each bag was hung to the end of a pole, 
And a little bell swung beneath the whole, 
Whose tinkling might serve the sleepers to wake 
From the nice little naps they sometimes take. 



16i ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

There, look for .1 moment and admire the style 

Of him who is gathering the middle aisle. 

Hear the tinkling bell and his creaking shoes, 

As he passes along among the pews. 

Back in his garden, yesterdaj^ night, 

You might have seen him, while it was light, 

Practicing over his work for to-day, 

Rehearsing the part he would have to play. 

Armed with an oven-swab, there he goes. 

Passing it up and down the rows. 

Giving to each big cabbage-head there 

An equal chance to deposit his share. 

Do you wonder now at the exquisite style 

Of the deacon doing the middle aisle ? 

"We commend the example to others, too ; 

Have you a task that is hard to do '? 

Into the garden-plat haste to repair, 

And try it first on the cabbage-heads there. 

Time can strengthen, time can kill; 

Things will last, though men will die ; 
While the house is lasting still. 

Graves about it scattered lie. 

Generations here grow gray ; 

Others flourish in their stead; 
Pastors perish, people lay 

Here their kindred dead. 

But the church in faith holds on, 

Stronger with its growing age ; 
Proud to point to records gone, 

Eager yet to add a page. 

Let another fifty years go by ; 

What shall then its record be ? 
Call a meeting then and try. 

And may we be there to sec. 

Brief addresses were also delivered by Hev. B. C. Taylor 
D.D., Eev. David Cole, D.D., Eev.W. H.' Ten Ejck, and Eev! 
P. D. Oakey. 

On motion of Eev. Dr. Cole, it was resolved that the meet- 
ing deeply appreciate the excellent Historical Discourse deliv- 
ered by Eev. Dr. Steele this morning, and that the Consistory 



ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 165 

of this cliurcli be reqiiested to secure the same for publica- 
tion. 

Prayer was offered by Rev. Peter D. Oakey, and after siug- 
ing the Doxology tlie benediction was pronounced by Pev. Dr. 
Taylor, of Bergen. 

EVENING EXERCISES. 

The evening exercises were opened with a voluntary by the 
choir, after which the forty-eighth Psalm was read, and prayer 
offered by Pev. Prof. Joseph F. Berg, D.D. 

The congregation then united in singing the following hymn, 
written for the occasion by Rev. John B. Steele : 

"THE THIRD JUBILEE." 

Tune— "iTa/'uey's Chant." 

1. The silver trump of jubilee 

The pastors thrice have blown, 
Since first a royal priesthood laid 
Our Zion's corner-stone. 

2. The pillar, on the rocky base 

Our fathers reared of old, 
Has wide displayed the truths of God — 
The purest, finest gold. 

3. From year to year the altar's fires 

Have never ceased to shine ; 
And men of God have ever stood 
"Within our holy shrine. 

4. The Saviour here has gathered gems — 

His jevvels rich and pure. 
To shine in His celestial crown, 
Forever to endure. 

5. A cloud bj' daj', a fire by night, 

Our covenant God has given : 
Beneath the folds of light and shade 
We journey on to heaven. 

6. On this good day, with grateful hearts, 

We set our symbol stone ; 
And look to God, in faith and hope, 
For help in years to come. 



166 ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

Rev. Isaac Ferris, D.D., the senior ex-pastor of tlic eliurcli, 
then deliv^ered the following address : 

ADDRESS OF EEV. ISAAC FERRIS, D.D. 

My Respected Tkiends : It is now about forty-six and one 
half years since a young man, twenty-two and one half years old 
and about ten months from the Seminary, assumed the pasto- 
ral charge of this church and congregation, then embracing 
three hundred families, and these dispersed over an area five 
miles square ; and having in his audience three professors, and 
some twenty-seven theological students, earnest young men 
with cultivated minds. It was a most responsible position for 
such an one to occupy, and it was in some degree realized, and 
would not have been assumed but from the conviction that the 
finger of God was clearly in the call, which came as unanimous 
from a people who had been distracted for years by a dividing 
question, in whose discussion very unhappy feelings had min- 
gled. 

The relation continued for three years and eight months, 
and was broken up by the renewal of the old dividing ques- 
tion. It may not be amiss to state it briefly, as it is a thing 
of the past. This congregation embraced a city and a coun- 
try population. In the settlement of a minister it had been 
the usage, from the founding of the church, to have the second 
service on the Sabbath, during the summer, occur after an in- 
termission of one hour. In the process of time the city popu- 
lation grew so large as to make it desirable and even important 
to have the service fixed at an hour convenient to the city 
congregation, and as were the services of other churches. 
Strong feeling and parties arose, each claiming what they 
sought as a right. The discussion had caused the resignation 
of Rev. Jesse Fonda. Dr. John Ludlow did not encounter it, 
as his pastoral relation continued only a little over a year. 
As I now look back on the merits of the case — indeed, as I 
then thought — the riglit was with the country people, but the 
policy was with the city, until the question was settled in the 
call of the pastor. In the call of my successor the matter was 
put forever at rest. The subsequent course of things has 



ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 1G7 

proved tlie wisdom of this final action. The increase of pop- 
ulation to any important extent, as Avas expected would be, 
lias been in town. Tiie growing families here have been pre- 
served to the original fold. And now, on this ground, you 
have two large, vigorous churches, while an outgrowth at Mid- 
dlebush has constituted a blessed church-home to the more 
distant families. I rejoice in the prosperity and the expand- 
ing usefulness and power of my first charge. To come back 
to this spot has always been to me a pleasure, and to meet, as 
I have always done, the warm greeting and cordial good wishes 
of those to whom I had ministered, both the fathers and the 
children, in the greenness of my ministry, is among my most 
pleasant memories. The fathers have gone, and the children 
have mostly gone, and now I have before me the children's 
children, and to them I submit my remarks on what occurred 
in their fathers' fathers' day. 

A ministry of three years and eight months will ordinarily 
furnish few events of special moment, and their tale is soon 
told. But I feel I may take a wider range, that I may submit 
some statements concerning the honored dead, and thus pay 
my tribute to those whom I shall never again see in the flesli. 
My thoughts have taken this direction as I have anticipated 
this interesting occasion : that I would first notice some spe- 
cial points during my ministry, and then speak of my hearers 
and my co-laborers. 

As to the particular events referred to, let me speak first of 
the additions to the church. It pleased God to give me early 
seals to my ministry. His w^ord was made effectual, and I 
w^as permitted to hear from one and another the earnest inqui- 
ry, " What shall I do to be saved ? " Some of the most precious 
cases occurred in connection with pastoral visitations and spe- 
cial interviews with those who offered their children for bap- 
tism before they had given their own hearts to Christ. 

Among the early accessions was that of David Abeel, the 
devoted missionary. With his religious inquiries I had nothing 
to do ; he had obtained Christian hope in the winter of my 
settlement, and found Dr. Livingston his faithful and tender 
counselor. But we were brought closely together in his early 
Christian life, and it was my privilege to advise him concerning 



168 ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

his public consecration and to receive him to the fellowship of 
the family of Christ. Our walk together was very pleasant, 
and through his whole life we were dear friends and coopera- 
tors in Christ's work. Very pleasant was it, in the second and 
third summers of my settlement, as I had invited those who 
felt an interest in the matter to come together every Sabbath 
morning, at six o'clock, for prayer for one hour, in the old 
Lancaster school-house — vei'y pleasant was it to see David, with 
his excellent mother and sisters, coming over the hills from 
their rural home to the place of meeting ; and very animating 
and invigorating vv^ere those meetings, for the Master crowned 
them with his presence and blessing. They are bright sjiots in 
memory. 

We were not favored with what would be called revivals ; 
but we had times when the dews of divine grace distilled 
sweetly among the people. On several occasions we received 
sixteen to the communion on profession, and in the course of 
three years and a half seventy-eight, with thirty-two by cer- 
tificate, making one hundred and ten. After my ministry ter- 
minated, it overwhelmed me to hear from the precious man 
and devoted missionary, Frederick B. Thompson, that the word 
at my lips had been made the word of life to his soul. 

I regard it with interest that I was the first pastor who in- 
stituted a stated and regular weekly evening lecture in our 
city congregation. As there was no church lecture-room at the 
time, through the kindness of the proper authorities we en- 
joyed the use of the Lancaster School-house, which I think 
was one of the early buildings of Queen's College. The excel- 
lent system (which I have never ceased to admire) of having a 
v/eekly catechising and lectures in connection, in several dis- 
tinct neighborhoods in succession, throughout the congregation, 
was in use. One point was Poole's Landing ; another. Middle- 
bush ; a third. Three Mile Run ; a fourth was George's Eoad 
Poorhouse ; while the catechising in the city was weekly. 
These services in the country districts were attended by al- 
most every person, young and mature, and were regarded as 
hallowed seasons. Their observance had the effect for genera- 
tions of securing an amount of sound Bible knowledge which 
gave the highest character for Christian intelligence to the 



ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 169 

people of Middlesex and Somerset counties ; for tliey constitu- 
ted the prevailing system of all our clmrches in this region, 
and they trained the most faithful church-going population I 
have ever seen. The work of the pastor became increased, but 
it was delightfid. 

By arrangement with the Consistory, one sermon on the 
Sabbath was given in the church the first ^-ear of settlement ; 
but the country and city lectures made three preaching ser- 
vices per week. The second year, there were four weekly ; 
while funeral sermons, and sermons at the houses of sick or in- 
firm or aged persons in the country, made them not unfre- 
quently five. One not actually in the work in a large charge 
can scarcely realize how the demands for service press a will- 
ing man. But it is well, for it is the Master's work ; and while 
a man is in health, what can he better do ? As for myself, I 
was a stranger to sickness or ailment of any kind at that 
period. 

Another circumstance of great interest at the time was the 
fact that, in compliance with my desire and the appeals made, 
the observance of the Lord's Supper four times in the year was 
introduced. The usage had been to celebrate that ordinance 
at intervals of six months. On this subject there has been in 
a lifetime a very general conformity in our churches in a quar- 
terly communion, while in a few cases a change has been 
made to six times in the year. 

When we consider primitive usage, we can not but v*'onder 
that there should have been so great a deviation from that ex- 
ample as a commemoration once or even twice in the year. 
The idea of frequency is distinct in the words of the institu- 
tion, and it should be such as to maintain at the same time the 
idea of the hallowed character of the service. 

But that to which I confess I look back with great satis- 
faction, as most important to myself in its various bearings, 
was the ground publicly taken on one of the most destruc- 
tive of social usages. 

In the fall of 1820 occurred the suspension from his minis- 
try, under the charge of intoxication, of one of our most dis- 
tinguished ministers by a northern Classis. He was reported 
the most accomplished pulpit orator in the northern part of 



170 ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

tlie State of ISTew-York — a fine scliolar, a gentleman of very 
wide influence. His fall grieved many hearts, while it broke 
np his pastoral relations, and covered his later life with a dark 
shadow from which he never emerged, though that which 
caused it had been corrected. It was apparent to me, as a 
looker on, that he had no more natural appetite for strong 
drink than any other man, but was the victim to the usages of 
social life — ruined by his friends, who became afterward his 
accusers. Every man of any position had his sideboard in his 
parlor, and that well stocked with the choicest of stimulants. 
Every visitor was expected to take his sip whenever he called. 
It was ungenteel — it was a slight, a reflection — not to drink a 
fflass. And in making a half-dozen calls in the course of two 
or three hours and taking as many drinks, how, as a matter of 
course, was an appetite formed. The wonder was, not that 
there were so many drunkards, but that every body was not 
such. To my mind, the usage was horrible ; and my determi- 
nation was, wherever I settled, on the first public exercise, to 
relieve myself forever from compliance with the tyrant custom. 
IN^ever can I forget the scene. This sanctuary was crowded 
in every part, as there was great curiosity to hear tlie first ser- 
mon of the young pastor elect. At the close, with the case 
which had occurred full in my mind, and which I stated, I 
solicited the people never, under any circumstances, to oiFer 
me strong drink, and not to consider me impolite or churlish 
if I peremptorily declined, should they forget themselves. 

I remember well how the smile passed at my expense over 
the face of the whole congregation. It was a bold step for so 
young a man ; but it was most important. It was shutting 
down the gate of access to a course which has been ruinous 
everywhere. It made its impression for good, as it fastened 
itself upon the minds of my people from its peculiarity and 
novelty. Keed I say that step was never regretted ? 

As was proposed, let me give some sketches of my hearers. 
It may be said, probably, that, as are a man's hearers, such is 
his ministry. He will be influenced by the descri23tion of per- 
sons who are to sit in judgment on his performances. The in- 
telligent, the cultivated, the discriminating will stimulate the 
young man to corresponding eff'orts. Every locality which 



ANNIVEESAEY EXERCISES. 171 

has public institutions, in wliicli and around wliicli strong and 
educated men cluster, will have its terrors to the beginner in 
public services, while it will furnish strong encouragement to 
fidelity and earnestness, for it is in the best degree apprecia- 
tive. 

It was my privilege to have as my constant hearers a noble 
band of twenty-five or thirty young men of the Theological 
Seminary, quite a proj^ortion of whom was near my own age, 
whose feelings and warm interest were with me. Ours were 
most pleasant relations, as I was so recently one of them. How 
many have gone to tlie grave, having done a good work for the 
Master ! A small proportion remain, and they have become 
the fathers in our Israel. Thus we pass along, class after 
class, to various fields, encountering the wear and tear of life, 
but never losing the tenderness of that tie which bound us 
to£!;ether in the Theological Hall and in our Christian asso- 
ciations. I said noble young men. Let me not leave an im- 
pression that I look upon them as an exception par excellence — 
by no means. My relations to the Seminary have been such 
as to bring me often, in the intervening years, in contact with 
the young brethren gathering here for training for the minis- 
try, and my opportunity of seeing other young men has not 
been limited ; and I say unhesitatingly, notwithstanding in- 
sinuations in some quarters, that I have never seen a higher 
class of mind and character than gathers here in preparation 
for ministerial work. 

At the head of the school of the prophets was the venera- 
ble and venerated Dr. Livingston. His seat was always here, 
at the head of the elders' pew, and he was ever the object of 
interest on which the stranger would fix his admiring gaze. 
He presented the most perfect specimen of .an old gentleman 
of the continental school of a hundred years ago ; rather tall, 
fully developed in physical system, calm, dignified in air, yet 
affable, bland, with his flowing white wig dropping down to 
his coat-collar, he was a man by himself His were inex- 
haustible stores of knowledge, showing that he had been an 
intense student, comprehending in his course the vast fields of 
science and literature as well as theology, and having all at 
command. To him was always yielded the sermon of the sac- 



172 ANNIVEESAEY EXEECISES. 

ramental Sabbath morning; and then it was he ponred forth 
the rielies of his evangelical resources and his sweet Christian 
experience — toiicliing, warming, thrilling ever j heart — making 
the occasion a festival indeed. His mode of sermonizing was 
eminently didactic and analytical, turning every thing in his 
text to account. His grand peculiarity in the pulpit was the 
large illustration of his subjects by voice and action. In this he 
has had no successor; some have attempted its imitation, but, 
as usual in such cases, they have been miserable failures. To 
him belongs the credit of giving a permanent form to the the- 
ological training of the Seminary, and it must be pronounced 
sound. Biblical, evangelical. Its results, as seen in our minis- 
try, are all Ave could ask. It was my frequent privilege to 
accompany the doctor in his walks, and it was always delight- 
ful to notice the respect paid him by all classes and ages, and 
especially to see the satisfaction of the little ones where we 
called, as he laid his hand on their heads and pronounced 
his blessing on them. ISTever shall I forget my first sight ol 
him, in Albany street. It was in the spring of 1819, I was 
then contemplating joining the Seminary for ]ny closing year, 
and was here to witness the final examination. He was passing 
down Albany street, and reached Mr. Blauvelt's house, (now 
iS^o. 52,) on the stoop of which some half-dozen students sat, 
who lifted their hats to him. With peculiar dignity, he turned 
his person squarely toward them, and with both hands took 
ofi' his broad-brimmed hat and bowed his whole person. To 
my mind, he stood as the personification of one of the patri- 
archs. 

One of my most cherished memories is that I enjoyed, when 
I left this charge, his warm love and confidence, and received 
from him, in his own beautiful penmanship, the expression of 
them. It was the last time I saw him, as soon after he slept 
in Jesus. 

My closing year in the Seminary was the first year of the 
professorship of Dr. John Ludlow, who was, in his twenty- 
fifth year — in June, 1819 — elected to his office, and for two 
years was a hearer. The choice of so young a professor was 
deemed a remarkable, while it was proved, by the result, a 
most wise] proceeding. The new professor was not to be 



ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 173 

judged by tlie years lie liad seen, but by bis mental develop- 
ment and strength of character, and these gave him a very 
marked preeminence. His was a rare case of maturity of mind 
at that age ; and, while he possessed an iron constitution, with 
his experience in teaching as a tutor in Union College he was 
especially fitted for his work. And a hard work it was. It 
seemed a giant's burden, and manfully he bore it. 

He had every thing to prepare, as text-books in several of 
his departments were few. He instituted the system of her- 
meneutical and exegetical studies in the Seminary, and gave 
a character to that branch of preparation altogether new to 
our students. He was charged with teaching Hebrew, Greek, 
Church History, Church Government, Pastoral Theology, and 
Biblical Analysis. Day and night he was engaged, the light 
in his study being the last extinguished in his neighborhood. 
He preached occasionally, and then it was with the power of 
a master. His manner Avas modeled somewhat after that of 
his preceptor. Dr. Nott, President of Union College ; but the 
clarion voice, and the piercing eye, and. the energetic gesture 
were his own. He was not emotional, and accordingly his 
preferred field of topics was that involving power and perhaps 
terror. He was not rhetorical, in the sense of the florid and 
metaphorical, but very plain in style; his words just what ex- 
pressed his thoughts — no more, no less — the right word used, 
and always in the right place. His aim evidently was, first, 
to get in his own mind a definite, clear conception of a sub- 
ject, and then to present it in the most direct and effective 
manner. He emerged from the Seminary an orator of the 
first degree, and as long as he preached ex tempore^ that is, 
without notes, was everywhere acknowledged sucli. The dis- 
tinguislied Chancellor Kent, then in his own prime, when he 
heard Dr. Ludlow in the pulpit, at Albany, in 1822, preach on 
1 Cor. 1 : 22-21, pronounced it the most commanding pul- 
pit efibrt he had ever heard. The sermon, as an intellectual 
production and an exhibition and defense of the Gospel, was 
a masterpiece. 

Dr. Ludlow was a wise and sound-minded man, possessing 
a most marked balance of mind. No man saw better what 
belonged to a given occasion or could better unravel what was 



174 ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

conflicting. In social life lie manifested the warmest atfections 
and the most unyielding fidelity in his friendships. His were 
capabilities for the most responsible trusts. Had he been a 
military man, he would have been one of the great captains of 
the age ; had he devoted himself to law, he would have taken 
rank with the most distinguished jurists; and had he given 
himself to political science, he would have won renown as the 
first of statesmen. What a thought it is that this man, so fitted 
by nature and attainments, was forced to retire from the posi- 
tion he so admirably filled here by tlie want of funds requisite 
for the support of a second professor ; but his going waked up 
the church to her duty. In the w^ork of the ministry, in the 
church of Albany, he won a great reputation ; in the University 
position he occupied, at Philadelphia, he made his mark on 
every class with which he had to do, and his memory is che- 
rished most tenderly. He was truly one of the leading minds 
of our church. 

A few months only elapsed when, having been chosen to sup- 
ply Dr. Ludlow's place, the Rev. John DeWitt, D.D., of Alba- 
ny, came among us, truly a man of genius and finely cultivated 
taste as well as capital scholarly attainments. His had not 
been the advantages of early theological culture, as those now 
enjoyed, but he had made up for all by most assiduous study 
of the best authors and critics of the day. He had, in Albany, 
in the Second Church, occupied a most influential position, and 
called around him a large and very devoted people. There I 
was his hearer for a large portion of a year, and there, as a 
temporary dweller, I learned to love the doctrines and usages 
of the Dutch Church ; for, though brought up with Dutch boys 
as my daily playmates and schoolmates, in ISTew-York, and 
hearing the tongue almost every hour spoken, and learning to 
speak it in a degree, I had never crossed the threshold of a 
Dutch Church, as "I was not Dutch." Dr. DeWitt soon made 
himself felt in the Seminary and in the town. He was a most 
animated man, and infused animation and energy into what- 
ever he undertook. He did nothing (as we say) by halves, 
and would have every man like himself. He seemed to catch 
intuitively what others would mine out by hard labor. As a 
preacher he was pohshed in his whole style and manner, and 



ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 175 

eloquent and pathetic. While he developed a subject in a way 
to satisfy the intellect, he knew how to bring it home to the 
heart. One of the best defenses I have ever heard of the Sa- 
viour's divinity he gave in this pulpit, from the first five verses of 
John's Gos2:)eL So, too, one of his most moving, practical ser- 
mons was from Ilosea, " Then shall we know, if we follow on 
to know the Lord." It has always been to me a matter of 
wonder that a volume of his sermons was never printed. 

There was one form of service he performed, in addition to 
all his other duties, which was highly valued ; he gave special 
attention to the elocutionary culture of students, after the rules 
of Walker, on which his own delivery was formed. On the 
decease of Dr. Livingston, that the Seniors might lose as little 
as possible from that event, he carried on their course in Didac- 
tic Theology, and thus in effect, for sev^eral months, he had the 
whole weight of Seminary instruction resting on him. He 
was very fond of nature. To him, principally, are we indebted 
for the fine shade-trees of the Campus, as well as for the fine 
floral display which was yearly seen and admired at his door. 
He, too, was the means of the donation of what was known as 
the Mrs. Chinn's Library, and which he selected. 

One personal incident, to me of great moment, I may men- 
tion, if for no other reason than to show how judicious Chris- 
tian friends may benefit a young preacher. We were on inti- 
mate terms. One day he said to me, "Have you any idea 
how you preach?" I told him I had not, and often wished 
to hear some one preach as I did, that I might see and hear 
my own manner, and correct it. He asked if he should show 
me. I solicited him by all means, for I knew that he had a 
remarkable power of imitation. He gave it to me, and it was 
the most valuable lesson of my early ministry ; it altered my 
whole manner of preaching from that day. 

But I must fill up my picture with notice of another most 
worthy and most unassuming clerical hearer, and that is E.ev. 
John S. Mabon, who received his Professoral certificate at the 
same time with Dr. Thomas De Witt. If true greatness is 
modest and retiring, then Mr. Mabon is entitled to the honor, 
for he was such. Xo one could have intercourse witli him 
without being struck with the evidences of his profound and 



17C . ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

varied cultivation. He was indefatigable in study, and was 
most liappj among the literary treasures (gathered by himself 
in Europe) which filled his shelves. He never assumed the 
pastoral office, though, when in health, he not unfrequently 
supplied pulpits, and had performed missionary work in JSTorth- 
ern New- York and in Canada. He was an honored educator, 
and had the satisfaction of preparing not a few young men for 
college classes. In the Grammar School of Rutgers College 
he labored continuously for nine years. On the decease of the 
excellent and amiable Dr. John Schureman, the General Synod 
gave him charge of instrtiction in Hebrew, in the Seminary, 
until a professor should be chosen. His students remembered 
his faithful efforts gratefully. He was the warm friend as well 
as the devoted instructor of young men, sympathizing in their 
trials and ever ready to help with counsel and other aid. 

It was unfortunate that Mr. Mabon confined himself to his 
laborious avocations so closely that his health was thereby seri- 
ously impaired. He was brought into close relations with Dr. 
Yan Yranken, as he married the doctor's sister, a Christian 
lady, whom I may well remember, as she was the warm and 
sympathizing friend of my family. Mr. Mabon was a model 
hearer, being always closely attentive, and entering into all the 
trying circumstances of a beginner in pulpit duties. As a the- 
ologian, no man exceeded him in soundness of views and intel- 
ligent apprehension of truth. Bred first under most thorough 
Scotch training, he completed his course with Dr. Livingston. 
In his latter days his trials were various and severe, but borne 
with a Christian spirit. Though personally gone to his rest, he 
lives in a son, whose privilege it is to occupy a high position 
among our ministry. 

It belongs to my narrative to say that the distinguished 
George Wood, who reached the pinnacle of fame as a lawyer, 
was a constant attendant in the morning of the Sabbath. His 
close attention was calculated to induce care in every effort on 
the part of a young preacher. James Schureman Nevius, the 
most cheerful and vivacious of young men, always ready for a 
joke and never behind in a repartee, and, at the time, a keen, 
discriminating young lawyer, was my fellow-boarder at his 
uncle's, and my hearer. With sharp eye and keen ear he al- 



ANNIVERSAEY EXERCISES. 177 

ways heard tlie young fledgeling in the pulpit. And then regu- 
larly came Dr. Ackerman, whose interested countenance has 
often come up before me, and whose son has become the bene- 
factor of our missionary brethren. 

Shall I not speak of my helpers ? They deserve a special 
place. We have the advantage, through our ecclesiastical sys- 
tem, of surrounding a minister with the best material of which 
a church is composed. If a man is unfitted, or fails in accom- 
plishing a fair work, he may be easily passed by and another 
introduced to his place. It was my privilege to have some 
most capital men in the eldership as well as active men in the 
deaconship ; not all of the same characteristics, but rarely a de- 
licient man — plain for the most part, sincere, possessed of good 
sense and piety. Mr. James Sclmreman was a noble specimen 
of a man, highly intelligent, judicious, and possessed of general 
influence, and of large and liberal views. He had seen much 
of public life in honorable positions, and was qualified for the 
leading place which others assigned him. Frederick Van Liew, 
of Middlebush, was a farmer, and had enjoyed few advantages; 
but he was far beyond tlie ordinary run of men ; more than 
almost any other man he had the confidence of the country 
part of the congregation, and was their most able advocate. 
It was my privilege to enjoy always his regard and confidence. 
Peter Yoorhics, of Middlebush, was an aged man in my day ; 
he had long been a pillar in the church. But I can not dwell 
on the Wyckoifs, Henry Van Arsdale, David Fine, Philip 
Oakie, Henry Schenck, Lewis Carman, the Outcalts, Judge 
Nicholas Booraem, George Nevius, and others; the last two 
still surviving. Another I can never forget. Though not a 
member of the church, Peter Spader was a most valuable man ; 
his favors were constant. Though separated, by removal, to 
another charge, I always received a cordial welcome when we 
met. 

Paul charged his true yoke-fellow, Euodias, to help " those 
women which labored with him in the Gospel : " and what pas- 
tor has not reason to cherish a high regard for this class of his 
helpers ? Their place is a most important one. When are they 
not first in good deeds ? When are they not the ever ready 
cooperators in the plans of usefulness a pastor may commend ? 
12 



178 ANNIVERSAEY EXERCISES. 

When are tliey not tlie most persevering ? Here tliey were to 
me most valuable. Tliey constituted a valuable band. But 
there are four whom I have had special reason to remember 
most kindlj : Sarah Yan Doren was never weary in well-doing, 
never could do too much, the Sabbath-school was on her heart; 
Miss II. Yethake, cultivated, highly educated, retiring, and nev- 
er self-reliant, regarded no study or labor too much for the 
cause of piety ; the two sisters, Pha3be and Elizabeth Bennett, 
became members during my ministry, and were most efficient 
workers and supports. Only within a few years has the last 
of the four been called home, leaving her blessing behind her 
in the form of benevolent gifts. 

May I say a word about co-laborers, whose work lay around 
me in this church-field ? The ministerial brethren of the Clas- 
sis were most valuable men. John S.Yredenbergh, of Somer- 
ville, was a man of strong, marked merit. His whole heart 
was in his work, and it was a large work ; and in this he had 
a helper in a wife, who was a second Isabella Graham in the 
variety and importance of her benevolent works. Few families 
were more esteemed than theirs, and few are there where un- 
usual culture and intelligent, earnest piety were so strikingly 
the characteristics, and few have made such personal consecra- 
tions to the cause of Christ. 

Mr. Yredenbergh went into the ministry from this church. 
I found his aged father in its fellowship when I settled. The 
pastor of Somerville was always heard with attention in the 
councils of the church, for he was a most judicious and wise 
man. God blessed his work abundantly, and it is remarkable 
how great its results were after his decease. Not long after 
that event, a most extensive and powerful revival occurred, 
and some three hundred and fifty were gathered into the fold. 
It was the first revival in which I had labored, and it was de- 
lightful to hear constantly of some good word or earnest ser- 
mon of the deceased pastor as the instrument of awakening. 

One of the most Nathanael-like men was John L. Zabries- 
kie, pastor of Millstone, and he was my nearest clerical neigh- 
bor. He was an honored instrument in building up what I 
used to regard as one of the most desirable rural chargesinthe 
denomination. He was eminently a man of peace, and of 



ANNIVEESARY EXERCISES. 179 

great simplicity of character. "Without any pretensions to 
greatness, his ministry was truly evangelical, and he saw tlie 
children and the children's children come into the church. 
His house Avas the much-loved place of ministerial meeting. 

My valued friend and classmate, both in college and in the 
Seminary, Isaac M. Fisher, in a few months after my settle- 
ment here became pastor of the Bedminster church. A capi- 
tal theologian he was, and a most able defender of the doc- 
trines of our church. No man among us in the Seminary was 
so ftxmiliar with the system of Dr. Livingston, and could more 
intelligently explain and illustrate it. His critical acumen 
iiad been sharpened by the great Hopkinsian controversy 
which had pervaded the New- York churches a few years be- 
fore ; and with all its points, both theological and metaphysi- 
cal, he had made himself at home. A most honest and up- 
right man in his principles, he enjoyed the confidence of all 
who knew him, and the remarkably upright pliysical man 
seemed the index of the spirit within. 

Rev. Jacob J. Schultz was located at the White House, and 
was one of the most earnest of preacliers. He labored as one 
who had the best interests of his people at heart, and was 
blessed with large ingatherings to the fellowship of the churches 
to which he ministered. Every good enterprise found in him 
a hearty cooperator. 

And there was Samuel A. Yan Yranken, generous, warm- 
hearted, and ever enlivening by his sparkling remarks. It was 
said he had settled in Monmouth with solicitude for his health, 
as he had expectorated blood near the close of his student life. 
But certainly, on that score, the settlement proved most Avise, 
for he became one of the most vigorous of men. The boson-j 
friend of Dr. Ludlow, he exceeded him in the animation of 
his stjde and in the emotional character of his preaching. In 
the midst of his people, he was in his glory. In view of liis 
health, he did not in his early ministry give himself to books 
and to sermon-writing. His study, it was said, was the lawn 
in front of his house ; and there, pacing to and fro, he wrought 
out, without pen or paper, his Sabbath preparations, and 
among his most intelligent hearers obtained the reputation of 
a most powerful preacher. It was with difficulty he was in- 



180 ANNIVERSAEY EXERCISES. 

duced to leave a place where he was so happy. Providence 
brought him to the professorial office here after two pastoral 
changes, and now his remains lie in the westernmost portion 
of your graveyard. 

But the man who out-topped all others was James S. Can- 
non — noble in form, dignified in manner, careful in speech, 
wise in counsel, the friend of all, especially of the young min- 
ister, and distinguished for his literary and theological attain- 
ments. 

The doctor was brought into close relations with tlie Theo- 
logical Seminary by performing the service of Professor of 
Ecclesiastical History during the session of 1818 and 1819, (as 
was the case with Mr. Mabon ;) and his interest in the stu- 
dents, which was always warm, became very earnest, and made 
him their counselor and friend. He seemed like a venerated 
parent at Six Mile Pun, to whom the students loved to repair 
for converse and advice. He was truly a Christian philoso- 
pher, looking out thoughtfully and calmly on the outside 
world, with its wave-like changes. His preaching was far 
from the sensational, which rings changes on a few exciting 
topics. Its range was over the vast field of Bible truth, rest- 
ing with delight on the Gospel and the sweet experience of its 
working in the Christian life. He subsequently came into dis- 
tinct professorial relations with the Seminary, retiring from the 
pastoral office. And you know well how truly gentlemanly 
liis whole bearing, how uniformly kind, how sympathizing, 
how exemplary his Christian walk, how elevated and how 
thorough his instruction, and how completely he secured the 
confidence and regard of all his pupils, either of the College or 
the Seminary. He was truly a great man, in the best and 
most desirable sense of the term. 

My friends, I thank you for so kindly allowing me to carry 
you in a familiar strain through reminiscences to me so plea- 
sant, and, I trust, not uninteresting to you, many of whom are 
the descendants or the connections of those of whom I have 
spoken, or to whom I have referred. They are gone; but not 
without leaving a most solemn work for their successors. The 
old flock is divided into three folds, each having much to call 
out our gratitude. I rejoice with you in your enlargement, 



ANNIVERSAEY EXERCISES. 181 

and in tlie promise for tlie future involved in it. To realize 
all, and still to advance to a higher development of Christian 
character, requires the earnest effort of all, and what encour- 
agement have you to make it ! The God of the fathers is your 
God. What a glorious starting-point does this day, with its 
charming services, furnish, and how worthily may this be 
made the mark of those who are in the vigor of life and of 
those rising to maturity ! 

To myself, this has been a most grateful day, and especially 
as it has followed another of most pleasant character. A week 
since, I preached to the people among whose fathers my pro- 
fession of the Saviour's name was made, aud my first conmiu- 
nion was celebrated just fifty years ago this month, and be- 
fore whom my first sermon was preached ; and now I have been 
in solemn service with the children, and the children's chil- 
dren, in the sanctuary where my ministerial life began. I 
ought to be thankful. I trust I am thankful, and I can well 
leave the future to my divine Master, to whom I would give 
all the glory. 

On the conclusion of the address, the congregation united 
in singing 

PSALM XC. PART II. 

Tune — Windsor. 

Our God, our help ia ages past, 

Our hope for years to come, 
Our shelter from the stormy blast, 

And our eternal home ! 

Before the hills in order stood, 

Or earth received her frame, 
From everlasting Thou art God, 

To endless years the same. 

Time, like an ever-rolling stream. 

Bears all its sons away ; 
They flj^, forgotten, as a dream 

Dies at the opening day. 

Our God, our help in ages past, 

Our hope for years to come, 
Be Thou our guard while troubles last, 

And our eternal home. 



182 ANKIVERSARY EXERCISES. 

The evening service was concluded witli prayer and the 
benediction by Eev. Dr. Ferris, and the great congregation 
separated. 

Thns, throngli tliree services, occupjdng nearly the entire 
day, the interest of these anniversary exercises was main- 
tained. The expression was general that +he occasion was of 
a most delightful and refreshing character, and had left im- 
pressions which would make it forever memorable to all who 
had been permitted to participate in these solemnities. We 
had " remembered the days of old," according to the divine 
direction. The history of God's dealings with the Church 
during a period of one hundred and fifty years, and of His 
grace to "the fathers," had been contemplated for our encou- 
ragement and strength. Hallowed and tender recollections 
had been awakened while worshiping in the venerable sanc- 
tuary which, for more than fifty years, had invited successive 
generations within its courts. Blessed seasons had been wit- 
nessed here by God's waiting people, on returning Sabbaths, 
as His Spirit was poured out in answer to prayer. From this 
communion of saints on earth multitudes have gone, rejoicing 
in hope, to join the Church of the first-born whose names are 
written in heaven. 

Under such auspicious circumstances has the First Keformed 
Dutch Church of ]^ew-Brunswick celebrated her One Hundred 
and Fiftieth Anniversary 



ANNIVEESARY LESSONS. 

A SERMON PREACHED OCTOBER G, 1867, 

BY KEY. RICHARD H. STEELE, D.D. 



"The Lord our God be vAilh us, as he was witli our fathers.'' — 1 Kings 
8 :57. 

We liave been permitted, in the providence of God, to cele- 
brate tlie one liiindred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding 
of our church — an anniversary that has awakened attention 
"wherever the children of this congregation are scattered, and 
which will form an interesting topic of conversation as long as 
tlie present generation are upon the stage of life. It seems 
that, as a fitting conclusion to the exercises of this occasion, 
your pastor should endeavor to gatlier together its lessons, and 
repeat, on behalf of you all, the prayer of Solomon at the ded- 
ication of the temple, which was so appropriately selected as 
the motto of the whole services, "The Lord our God be with 
us, as he was with our fathers." 

Rest assured, my friends, that the interest of this occasion is 
not transient or circumscribed. It has left impressions upon 
our hearts which will abide with us always; and, as the facile 
pen of the reporter shall spread round a circle of unusual 
width the story of our religious festival, it will form the topic 
of thought and prayer in many distant families. God has been 
with us in this series of meetings. If ever Heaven has smiled 
propitiously upon Christian gatherings, ours is the occasion. 
The day has been a joyful one in New-Brunswick; and we, 
who worship at the old altar and dwell at the old homestead, 
have not misinterpreted the indications of Providence ingather- 
ing together the children of the fathers and their descendants 



184 ANNIVERSARY LESSONS. 

to this feast of memory. The broad invitation that we cir- 
culated; the recollections that liave been awakened; the won- 
derful history that has been recited of these pioneers of the 
covenant, who so many generations ago laid the foundation of 
our institutions of religion, and learning, and government; the 
rich tone of spiritual feeling that pervaded onr assemblies; and 
the new purposes formed in respect to the interest we shall 
hereafter take in the cause of Christ, all testify to the hold 
this anniversary has taken upon our minds and hearts. I re- 
peat it : The story of our coming together on this high festi- 
val occasion will be rehearsed around many a fireside and to 
future generations. An interest which is not transient or local 
now surrounds the spot where it pleased God to plant, one hun- 
dred and fifty years ago, this goodly vine. Those who know 
us and have worshiped with us, as well as strangers who have 
never stood within these gates, will fix on us their minds as 
they speak of our remarkable history. 

In making the improvement of the occasion which the 
whole subject suggests, I will not follow any formal analysis 
of the theme, but will lead you with me along a path of fami- 
liar reminiscence and encouragement, entreating the blessing, 
" The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers." 

Our fathers^ and God loith them. After the record which 
has been reengraved upon their monuments, can we doubt the 
reality ? I think of these men once more, as we have read 
their names and refreshed our memories with their virtues. 
When we reflect upon the hardships experienced by the first 
settlers in this new land, the privations, the labor, the dangers 
incident to this then unbroken wilderness, can there be room 
to doubt the special providence of God in selecting the agents 
who should found, and in leading them to the place where 
they should erect, this temple of worship and praise, the first 
religious organization in our goodly city ? Was it the merest 
accident that they were led to pitch their habitations in this 
fertile land, coursed by this noble river, surrounded by these 
broad fields of inviting husbandry, in this genial climate, mid- 
>vay between the stern winters which crown with frost and ice 
the northern latitude and the enervatiiig heat and sickness 
incident to a southern clime? Let those believe who may that 



ANNIVERSARY LESSONS. 185 

such a movement as this is only Inmian in its conception and 
results ; that the order of events that peopled this section of 
our State with that sturdy Batavian race, whose excellences 
we have commemorated, was a mere random adventure of 
men who knew not where they were going;, or what was the 
end of their mission ; we, who have faith in Providence, not 
blind but wise, not a coercive necessity but an intelligent pur- 
pose, will believe that the Lord Jehovah was with our fathers. 

When I think of those praying men who crowded around 
that noble minister, Rev. Theodorus J. Frelinghuysen, who 
broke ground for the Gospel in this new territory, the compan- 
ion and colaborer with Gilbert Tennent, George Whitefield, 
and President Edwards — whose grave, like that of Moses, no 
man knows unto this day; when I think how the good minis- 
ter, Mr. Leydt, passed almost from his pulpit to the grave 
amid the lamentations of the people; when I think how^ all 
the expectations of this church were disappointed as thej'' 
bowed in submission to the will of Providence in the early 
removal of Dr. Ilardenbergh, while they received the consola- 
tion administered to them in the funeral sermon preached at his 
burial by Dominie Yan Harlingen, from the text, "My father, 
my father, the chariots of Israel, and the horsemen thereof;" 
when I think how hearts were almost broken at the great be- 
reavement experienced in the death of Dr. Condict; when I 
recall the names of all these ministers and their successors, 
and behold the foundations they have laid, the seed they have 
sown, and the harvests thej^ have gathered, I am ready to re- 
peat, what has come out all along in our narrative, "This is 
the Lord's doing ; it is marvelous in our eyes." 

How different is our position to-day from that of those who 
first came to this field with the Gospel of salvation ! It has 
been impossible for me, during the preparation of my Histori- 
cal Discourse — and I confess that it has given me • two years 
of labor and thought, in the midst of other duties, feeling my 
way through a wilderness which had never been traveled, and 
gathering materials for the first one hundred years from 
letters, scraps of newspapers, old wills and deeds, Bible records, 
and inscriptions on the old brown tombstones — it has been im- 
possible, in the midst of it all, to keep from my mind that old 



186 ANNIVERSARY LESSONS. 

building, with its shingled sides, and steep roof, and iinpainted 
interior, and uncarpeted aisles, in Burnet street, where your 
forefathers worshiped God in the olden time, and contrast it 
with the quiet Sabbaths which have shed around us their hal- 
lowed influence in this ample tabernacle and these crowded 
congregations. "VVe can not but view with emotion the obscure 
origin of some vast river, and trace it in its expanding flow 
onward in its course until it mingles its waters with the great 
reservoir of ocean. Then it is the little rivulet tinkling through 
the valley ; now it is the broad river on whose bosom the com- 
merce of a nation floats. So, with emotions of wonder and 
thanksgiving to God, we trace the origin of those streams of 
moral and spiritual influence which have blessed our world, 
and are still accumulating strength and vigor with the lapse of 
years, and whose ultimate power for good it is almost impossi- 
ble for us to conceive. Truly, that little band, who first planted 
here the Gospel of our precious Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, 
might well be spoken of, in the beautiful figure of the Psalm- 
ist, as "an handful of corn on the top of the mountain." And 
even now the prediction has been fulfilled, for the fruit thereof 
has shaken like Lebanon. 

"They little thought how pure a light, 

With years, would gather round that day ; 
How love would keep their memories bright ; 
How wide a realm their sons would sway !" 

A review of the history of our church, when it shall be 
spread out before you, will exhibit the fact that the early 
founders of our religious institutions were men who loverl the 
v:ord of God, and who made their appeal to it as the only in- 
fallible 7'ule of faith and pi'actice. 

There are still in existence a few venerable copies of the 
Bible, in the native language of the Hollanders, preserved as 
heir-looms in the families of their descendants. These well- 
read pages attest how intelligently and tenaciously they ad- 
hered unto God's testimonies. If they sought for comfort, 
they found it in the Holy Scriptures ; if they needed inspira- 
tion, they caught it from the Old and the New Testament ; 
if they desired strength, they sought it in these lively ora- 



ANNIVERSARY LESSONS. 187 

(ties ; if tliey panted after holiness, tliey communed with the 
Holy Ghost in the volume which was written by Him. They 
had few boohs to adorn their dwellings ; and in most instances 
a large family Bible, with its antique binding and strange 
plates and clasps of ponderous brass ; a psalm-book ; and a 
volume of sermons prepared by some famous divine of the 
ISTetherlands — a Brakel, a Yan Derkemp, a Hellenbrook, a 
Marck — constituted the entire religious educational apparatus 
of the household. But this word of God they loved. Some 
of you remember how these pious men and women of the 
past genei'ation pored over these sacred pages. Amid all 
privations, they were sustained by the principles and pro- 
mises treasured, as they believed, for God's people in the Book 
of the Lord. Its biographies of the patriarchs, its historical 
narratives, its predictions of the Messiah, its precious psalms, 
its proverbs and parables, its Gospels of the Saviour, its apoca- 
lyptic vision of heaven, were familiar lessons from infancy to 
old age. They read the Bible daily, and large portions of it 
were committed to memory. They taught their children to 
read it and reverence its inspired teachings. And some of 
those godly men became expounders of the word of God, and 
their names have been handed down to us as " helpers " in the 
Gospel of our Lord. 

My friends, in the reverence in which they held, and the 
attachment which they cherished for, the Bible, the Dutch 
fathers are examples to us. It is emphatically the hooh for the 
family and therace. To it we must come at last for all that 
higher knowledge which relates to our origin and our destiny, 
the true aim of life and the real dignity of rational and intelli- 
gent beings. Let the pleasing custom be perpetuated of pre- 
serving the genealogical record of the household in the family 
Bible, written between the Old and Kew Testaments, to be 
consulted by those who come after us, telling the story of 
births, and baptisms, and marriages, and burials, from genera- 
tion to generation. Familiarize your own minds with its 
blessed language, teach your children its lessons of heavenly 
truth ; and as did the fathers, so do you take this best of all 
books as the guide, the instructor, the light, and life, and law 
of the house. " There," said one of the pastors of this church, 



188 ANNIVERSARY LESSONS. 

when lie was clyiiip;, " there is the word of God, which has an 
abundance of knowledge and grace. The Lord has given you 
reason, and a capacity for knowing and loving him ; let that 
word be your teacher, and you will experience riches of grace." 
Again, the fathers of this chui'ch were men of intelligent and 
earnest piety. I speak now of their religious character, as 
moulded and developed under the instructions of the early min- 
isters of this church. After the great conflict through which 
Dominie Frelinghuysen passed with the formal element which 
prevailed throughout this whole region, he gathered into the 
communion a body of men who w^ere spiritual, praying, and 
devoted to the cause of Christ. They were sound in their 
views of the truth ; in their system of religious belief, they 
adopted the catechisms and confessions of faith of the Re- 
formed Church ; in their method of instruction in the house- 
hold, they followed the direction of the Scriptures, and taught 
their children out of the word of God, and trained them sys- 
tematically in the doctrines and standards in which they them- 
selves had been educated in the fatherland. They were the 
children of the covenant. They had faith in God, and made 
sacrifices to promote his honor. They looked beyond tlieii* 
own immediate wants, and labored directly for the welfare of 
those who were to come after them. They saw the hand of 
God before them leading the way, and they followed his direc- 
tions. The whole history of this church is replete with the 
evidence that ministers and people sought the immediate guid- 
ance of God. We might speak of the deficiencies in their 
character, and it would be no difficult matter to discover points 
in which they failed ; but we will leave this ungracious task 
for those whose taste prefers to look at their infirmities and 
infelicities rather than upon those traits which bear the evi- 
dence of a sterling character. We prefer to think of these 
men as trained under the ministry of that fearless herald of the 
Gospel who always felt that he was sent to this field by a most 
direct interposition of Providence, and who would adhere to 
his purpose of preaching the doctrines of grace though there 
rose up the clamor of great opposition against the truth. 
We would think of them as pitching their habitations in this 
then unbroken wilderness, opening for themselves a path 



ANNIVERSARY LESSONS. 189 

tliroTigli tlie forest ; worslii'ping God in the first sanctuary 
erected in the interior of our State by the church of our order; 
having in their house tlie ordinance of family worship, that 
fii'st care of the Christian parent ; planting the seminary of 
learning by the side of the Christian sanctuary; and we will 
find in all these things much that we can admire in our Kcw- 
Brunswick ancestors. 

And the piety of these men was sincere, a serious joy in God 
lighting up their countenances, and inspiring within them, 
amid all their hardships, the blessedness of hope. Rev. Gil- 
bert Tennent, who was on terms of special intimacy with his 
co-laborer in this city, Eev. Mr. Frelinghuysen, has left the 
record that his ministry was eminently blessed here, and that 
those who were in membership with the church " appeared to 
be converted persons, by their soundness of principles. Chris- 
tian experience, and pious example." He describes, in one of 
his letters, the work of grace which was here enjoyed, and 
he says, " I may further observe that frequently, at sacramen- 
tal seasons in New-Brunswick, there have been signal dis- 
plays of the divine power and presence. Divers have been 
convinced of sin by the sermons there preached, some con- 
verted, and many affected by the love of God in Jesus Christ. 
Oh ! the sweet meltings that I have seen on such occasions 
among many. New-Brunswick did then look like a field that 
the Lord had blessed. It was like a little Jerusalem, to which 
the scattered tribes with eager haste repaired on sacramental 
solemnities, and there they fed on the fatness of God's house, 
and drank of the rivers of his pleasure." 

There are many other inviting pages in the history of the 
fathers, every one I'ich in instructive lessons. We could speak 
of their patriotism, and show you that these men loved their 
country and hated opipresdon. The teachings of history in the 
land from whence they came, while it exhibited the doctrine 
of toleration in all civil and ecclesiastical matters, at the same 
time furnished precedents which have been wrought out in 
the struggles through which our own nation has passed. The 
United Provinces of the Netherlands had a Declaration of In- 
dependence long before that more renowned instrument which 
bound into one nation the United States of America. They 



190 ANNIVERSARY LESSONS. 

had a constitutional government in opposition to hereditary 
power. They had a motto — " Unity makes might" — which is 
hardly inferior to that of oar own country, which is intended 
to express the union of these States. It is not surprising that 
such men gave themselves to the cause of their country, and 
suffered for this heritage which they have transmitted unto us. 

We could speak of the intellectual character of the fathers ; 
and, while not claiming for them any considerable degree of 
culture and learning, yet it might be shown' that, for the times 
and poverty of advantages which they enjoyed, they were not 
devoid of intelligence, and had an eye to the prospective wants 
of the clmrch. Coming from that Dutch republic which had 
its system of free schools, which so caught the attention of the 
Puritans in their exile, as they saw it in successful operation, 
that they made it their model on the settlement of Kew-Eng- 
land, it is not surprising that the first minister brought with 
him to this field of labor the " well-educated schoolmaster," 
Jacobus Schureman, a "gentleman who was respectable for 
his literary acquirements as well as for his piety," and planted 
the school-house by the side of the church. First of all, they 
made provision for the permanent establishment of religious 
institutions, and then, at great sacrifice, they furnished facili- 
ties for the highest forms of education, establishing the fifth 
College in the North- American colonies, and plantino- the first 
Theological Seminary in our land. These points, with others, 
are inviting. But the evidence is sufScient that the Lord Je- 
hovah w^as with the fathers. He sent them to this field, and 
bestowed on them His blessing. And we have that in their 
record which is to us a ground of thanksgiving. 

It seems to us, as we study the history of the church, that it 
is a special providence of God in giving to our American Zion, 
in the various branches of her organization, a fatherland, from 
which they have received the peculiar type of their theology 
and order. The Scotch Presbyterians hail from the hills and 
valleys of that land of martyrs, which is redolent with the 
piety of those suffering heroes who so long resisted the tyranny 
of a court that knew not God nor the best interests of the 
state. And is it any wonder that they think to-day with joy- 
ful pride how their ancestors, of a noble faith and a simple 



ANNIVERSARY LESSONS. 191 

form of worship, made the forests and glens of Scotland vocal 
vritli their psalms of praise. And how often are we pointed 
to that exhibition of faith and devotion in the history of the 
pilgrims of New-England, who, after a long and boisterous 
passage, disembarked from the storm-beaten Mayflower in the 
midst of a northern winter, waded through the surf to the icy 
shore, bowed in worship on the snow-covered rock of Ply- 
mouth, and there, finding what they had sought in this new 
world — liberty and a home — made that December sky echo 
with their songs of praise and voice of prayer. 

Grand as are these associations — and we acknowledge it all — 
is it not also worthy of remembrance that the church of our 
faith and order had its origin in that Dutch republic whose 
territory was rescued from the ocean by artificial embank- 
ments ; a republic that gave shelter to the persecuted of all 
other nations, receiving the Pilgrims and Huguenots when 
hunted by ci\'il and ecclesiastical intolerance from their own 
land ; a republic, whose noble constitution gave origin to our 
own form of government, and which stood so long as a rock 
against the in-rolling tide of Catholic dominion and prelatical 
and intolerant usurpation ? Our historj^, as a branch of the 
American church, is worthy of preservation, and I trust that 
God will make me thankful that I have a home, by birtli and 
education and ministerial life, in a church which hails from 
sturdy Holland. 

Let me now suggest, as an appropriate close to my dis- 
course, some lessons which the prayer of our text teaches. 

1. Our gratitude is due to God for the gift of the fathers. 

A noble ancestry is a ground of gratitude unto God, aud no 
one can tell how much he is indebted for the bestowment of 
such an inheritance. The exhibition of their virtues and the 
power of their example has been sending down through suc- 
cessive generations the most healthful and beneficent influ- 
ence. God selected these agents as the pioneers of his Gospel 
in this region, and they have been made by Providence the 
instruments of conferring upon us and upon the world count- 
less blessings. These patriarchal men have stood before us 
during our exercises strong in faith, fervent in prayer, earnest 
in work for Christ, and exemplary in lite. And on the divine 



192 ANNIVERSARY LESSONS. 

faithfulness in the fulfihraent of his precious promises we also 
will rely. " Know, therefore, that the Lord thy God, he is 
God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy 
with them that love him and keep his commandments to a 
thousand generations." 

3, We should foster and strengthen all those institutions 
which the father's estahlished. 

The policy and wisdom of the fathers was to establish, first, 
the church with all its necessary appointments — the outward 
edifice very simple and unadorned in its construction, but, for 
the times, convenient and ample, and not contrasting in an 
"unfavorable way with their own private dwellings. The ori- 
ginal house of worship, in Burnet street, was erected from the 
scanty means which the first settlers, in their poverty, conse- 
crated to the Lord. The second, built on this very site, of the 
more enduring stone, was a clear expression of the advancing 
spirit and liberal views of the congregation. This noble edi- 
fice, which has now stood in its massive proportions for more 
than half a century, on a still broader scale displayed the 
large-hearted liberality of those men who saw the need of 
such an edifice as this to adorn our city and invite generations 
to crowd its gates. The sad scene connected with its erection 
adds interest to this place of worship. The beloved pastor, 
wlio had ministered here for seventee]i years, saw the impor- 
tance of this enterprise, and upon the threshold of the work 
God took him. It was a day of mourning when the congre- 
gation gathered around his grave, beneath the walls of the old 
building now in process of demolition. Yonder is his monu- 
ment, and around this venerable church are resting hundreds 
to whom he preached, and the record of the sainted Condict 
is still precious to the people of the Lord. 

We shall show our appreciation of the work of the fathers 
by cherishing the institutions which they established. Are 
increased facilities demanded ? let us arise and build. Have 
we schools and colleges and seminaries ? let us see that these 
are maintained with vigor in our midst, and learn wisdom, by 
occupying important posts in the growing West, that we may 
do our part in providing means of intellectual, moral, and reli- 
gious culture for the whole land. 



ANNIVEESAEY LESSONS. 193 

3. Let us imitate the excellences of the fathers. 

I have not represented tliem as perfect cliaracters. They 
had then- faults. But they were the faults of the age. And 
while we spread the mantle of charity over their failings, let 
us walk in the footsteps of their piety. It will be well for 
us to remember that the whole benefit of the past will be lost 
upon us if we so rely upon it as to make it a ground of rcpos(^, 
as if no further exertion was demanded. Do not let us, then, 
so rest upon the works of the fathers that we shall attempt no 
further progress. Let us arise and work for God, and pray, 
labor, toil for that gracious baptism of the Holy Ghost which 
would be such a crown of glory to our anniversary, and fill 
heaven with joy. We will prove ourselves worthy of our his- 
tory if we do the great work to which the providence of God 
surely points us. 

Let us, then, most fervently ofiTer unto God the prayer of 
Solomon at the dedication af the Temple, " The Lord our God 
be with us as he was with our fathers." Was God graciously 
present with the former pastors of this church, rendering them 
faithful in labors and successful in winning souls to Christ ? 
So may He be with him M-ho now serves his Master and this 
church of Christ in the ministry of the Gospel. May He 
make me a faithful ambassador for God, a diligent worker in 
the vineyard, and a true leader of the people. Was God with 
the ofiicers of the church, teaching them to rule well in the 
house of the Lord % So may lie be with these elders and 
deacons, rendering them efiicient co-laborers with the jjastor, 
and watchful over the interests of Zion. Was God with the 
young men of this church, giving them wisdom to consecrate 
themselves to Him in the work of the ministry? So may He 
raise up and send forth from this communion many who shall 
devote their talents to the blessed work of the ministry of re- 
conciliation. We remember the fathers, and how God was 
with them. But where are they? They have all passed 
away. Man dies, but God lives. Ministers, elders, members 
of this church are gone. Their bodies rest in hope in the ad- 
joining churchyard, while their spirits have long been with 
the Saviour in the land of the blessed. 

One hundred years ago, the spot on which we worship was 
13 



194 ANNIVEESARY LESSONS. 

consecrated to the God of Bethel. When the next one hun- 
dred years are added, what changes shall then have taken place ! 
It will, without doubt, be observed. But not one of us will be 
living to share in the succeeding anniversary. Long before 
that time, we will all have passed away. The church will be 
here, worshiping in this or in some future sanctuary. This 
beautiful river, with a name so redolent of the tribes who 
darted their swift canoes along its tide, will still flow onward 
to the ocean. These fields, so verdant, will still slope down to 
the river margin, yielding the finest of the wheat. All these 
institutions of religion and learning v^hich give honor to our 
city will abide, we trust, more vigorous with the increase of 
years. But we will not be of the number who make up the 
great congregation on that occasion. 

" Who'll pass along our city street 

A hundred years to came ? 
Who'll tread this church with willing feet 

A hundred j'ears to come ? 
Pale, trembling age, and fiery youth, 
And childhood, with its brow of truth ; 
The rich and poor, on land and sea — 
Where will the mighty millions be 

A hundred years to come ? 

" We all within our graves will sleep 

A hundred years to come ; 
No willing soul for us will weep 

A hundred years to come. 
But other men our lands will till, 
And others then our streets will fill, 
And others words will sing as gay, 
And bright the sun shine as to-da)^, 

A hundred years to come." 



■ Part Third. "' 



APPENDIX. 



OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH, 1867. 



Rev. RICHAED H. STEELE. 



ISAAC VOORHEES, 
JESSE F. HAGEMAN, 
JOHN BEEKMAN, 



FERDINAND S. CORTELYOU, 
LEWIS APPLEGATE, 
GEORGE BUTTLER. 



HENRY K. HOW, 
GILBERT S. VAN PELT, 
V. M. W. SUYDAM, 



Deacons, 

NICHOLAS W. PARSELL, 
JOHN V. H. VAN CLEEF, 
JOHN STEWART. 



Treasttrcr . 
IRA CONDICT VOORHEES. 



APPENDIX. 



The lands west of the Raritan lots, extending back to the Millstone river, 
.ind as far up said river as Rocky Hill, (taking in nearly all of Franklin 
township, and a strip in addition on the south of the Six Mile Run Turn- 
pike,) were originally divided into four large plots, which may be in general 
thus described : The plot of Daniel Cox began at the north-west corner of 
Inians's two plots, near the Two Mile Run Tavern ; thence in a straight line 
south-west five miles, to a point a mile and a quarter south of Six Mile Run 
church; thence west-south-west three and one tenth miles to the road lead- 
ing from Ten Mile Run to Little Rocky Hill, being to a point on said road 
about one mile directly south of Ten Mile Run ; thence in a straight line 
north-north-east eight miles and thirty chains, striking and following what 
is known as the Middlebush road, (which is a remnant of this eight-mile 
line,) to a point on the Raritan lots, (either Jones's or Clement's lot, and now 
the farm of J. V. L. Van Doren,) and thence along the rear of the Raritan 
lots two and a half miles, plus ten chains, to the point of beginning, con- 
taining 7540 acres. (Amboy Records, Lib. G, p. 314; also, Lib. E, p. 3G5.) 
The proprietors sold this tract to one of their fellow proprietors, Daniel Cox, 
of London, September 1st, 1694. Signed Andrew Hamilton, David Mudie, 
Andrew Bowne, James Dundas, L. Morris, John Inians, Thomas Warne, 
George Willocks, Thomas Gordon, John Reid, John Barclay. 

The second plot begins at a point on Millstone River, opposite Rocky Hill, 
and runs east-south-east two miles, minus twelve chains, to the southern 
end of the eight-mile line before alluded to ; thence along said line three 
miles, minus six chains, and thence west-north-west two miles, to the Mill- 
stone River, where the Ten Mile Run brook empties into the same;- thence 
up the Millstone to the place of beginning, containing 5000 acres. John 
Harrison and George Willocks bought this tract, as well as the adjoining 
tract, of Daniel Cox, already described, in the year 1700. (Amboy Records), 
Lib. E, p. 3G5.) 

The third plot, bought by the same parties, begins at the mouth of Tea 
Mile Run brook, and runs two miles south-easterly to the eight-mile line (or 
the Middlebush road ;) thence along said line four miles and a half, minus 



]98 



APPENDIX. 



six chains, to a point half a mile north-cast of Middlebush church, and 
thence M'est-north-west three miles and eight chains to the Millstone 
I'iver, at the mouth of a little brook called Ledging brook, (this is one or 
other of the small streams within a mile south of East-Millstone ;) the 
fourth plot lying north of the last, and between it and the Raritan lots, 
(now known as the Cedar Grove District,) appears to have been taken pos- 
session of by William Dockwra, who owned neighboring lands on the 
Raritan and Millstone. At any rate, a portion of this land, sold by Richard 
Salter (Dockwra's agent) to Christian Van Doren, in 1723, had to be re- 
purchased as late as 1760, upon the representation that Salter had no right 
to sell it. There were several conflicting claims to this portion of Frank- 
lin township. (See Millstone Centennial, pp. 13, 14, 16, 19, and 21.) 



II. 
LIST OF FAMILIES IN THE CONGREGATION— 1732-3o. 



Jan Aeten, 
Jan Aeten, Jr., 
Thomas Aeten, 

Gerard us Banker, 
Jacob Buys, 
James Bennet, 
Jan Bennet, 
Elias Barger, 
Andre%v Blaew, 
Cornelius Bennet, 
Hendrick Blaew, 
Aerie Bennet, 
John Buys, 

Francis Costigin, 
Cornelius Cornell, 
Peter Cochran, 
Jacobus Cornell, 
Gerrit De Graw, 
John De Witt, 

G. De Peystcr, 
Frans Dilden, 
Hendrick Dally, 
Gideon De Camp, 

Philip French, 
Charles Fontyn, 
Hendrick Fisher, 
Abraham Fontyn, 
Folkert Folkers, 
Jacob Fontyn, 
Jaques Fontyn, 
Johannes Folkers, 
Isack Fontyn, 



Johannes Fontj'n, 
Reyner Fontyn, 

John Guest, 
Gerrit Gerritsen, 
John Gedeman, 

James Hude, 
Abraham Heyer, 
Daniel Hendrickson, 

Isaac Jansen, 

Peter Kemble, 

Paul Le Bnyton, 
Cornelius Low, 

Tennis Montague, 
Johannes Messekr, 
Paul Miller, 
Johannes Meyer, 
Peter Metselaer, 
Peter Moon, 
Samuel Mulford, 
Paul Miller, 

Andrew Norwood, 
Roelef Nevius, 

Frederick Outgelt, 
Jacob Ouke, 
Abraham Ouke, 
William Ouke, 

Jan Probasco, 



Christofel Probasco, 

Dirck Schuyler, 
V Jacobus Schureman, 
Cornelius Suydam, 
Hendrick Schenck, 
Roelef Seebring, 
' Petrus Sleght, 
Abraham Schuyler, 
Gerrit Stoothof, 
Johannes Seebring. 
Lucas Smack, 
Aaron Sutfin, 

John Ten Broeck, 

Isaac Van Noordstrand. 
Dirck Van Arsdalen, 
Hendrick Van Deursen, 
Folkert Van Noorstrand, 
Jeremiah Van Derbilt, 
Hendrick Van Derbilt, 
Aris Van Arsdalen, 
Jan Van Buren, 
Dirck Van Veghten, 
Dirck Van Allen, 
Johannes Martinus Van 

Ilarlingen, 
Benjamin Van Cleef 
Aris Van Derbilt, 
Abraham Van Deursen, 
Abraham Van Doren, 
Aris Van Cleef, 
Minnie Van Voorhees, 
Peter Voorhees, 
Lucas Voorhees, 



APPEJfDIX. 199 

Johannes Van Noidcn, Jan Van Niiyp, Gerrit VoorhccR, 

Christofel Van Dorcn, Iloclef Vonrhecs, Frederick Van Lieuwen, 

Frans Van Dyck, Dirck Van Norstrand, Ilendrick Van Derbilt, 

Nicolas Van Dyck, William Van Dcr Eype, William Williamson, 

Court Van Voorhees, Jacob Van End, Lawrence Williamson, 

Christian Van Doren, Matys Van Der Pvype, Leffert Waldron, 

Hendiick Van Lieuwen, Johannes Voorhees, Philip Young. 



III. 

CHARTER OF THE FIVE CHURCHES, KEW-BRUNSWICK, RARI- 
TAN, SIX MILE RUN, MILLSTONE, AND NORTH BRANCH, 
GRANTED JUNE Ttii, 1753 : 

George the Second, By the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and 
Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc., To all to whom these presents 
shall come, greeting: Whereas, diverse and sundries of our loving subjects 
inhabiting within the several counties of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Middle- 
sex, in our Province of New-Jersej^ in behalf of themselves and others, 
being of the Dutch Protestant Reformed Church, by their humble petition 
presented to our trusty and well-beloved Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Captain- 
General and Governor-in-Chief in and over our Province of New-Jersey 
and territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral 
in the same etc., setting forth that the petitioners are very numei'ous and 
daily increasing, and consist of five Churches and Congregations, to wit, 
The Church and Congregation of Raritan, the Church and Congregation of 
North-Branch, the Church and Congregation of New-Brunswick, the 
Church and Congregation of Six Mile Run, the Church and Congregation 
of Millstone ; That the most advantageous support of religion among 
them, requires that some persons among them should be incorporated as 
trustees for the community, that they may take grants of lands and 
chattels, thereby to enable the petitioners to erect and repair public build- 
ings, for the worship of God, school-houses and alms-houses, and for the 
maintenance of the ministry and poor, and that the same trustees may 
plead and may be impleaded in any suit touching the promises, and have 
perpetual succession ; and we having nothing more at heart than to see the 
Protestant Religion in a flourishing condition throughout all our domin- 
ions, and being graciously pleased to give all due encouragement to such 
of our loving subjects, who are zealously attached to our person, govern- 
ment and the Protestant succession, in our royal house, and to grant the 
request of the petitioners in this behalf: Know ye, that we of our special 
grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have willed, ordained, consti- 
tuted, and granted, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, 
do will, ordain, constitute, and appoint, that the Rev. John Light, John 
Frelinghouse, Ministers, John Van Middlesworth, Peter Williams, Peter 
Van Ess, Andrew Ten Eyck, Daniel Ceybyrn, Peter Mountfort, Ilendrick 
Fisher, Cornelius Bennet, William Williams, Luke Voorhees, David 



200 APPENDIX. 

Neviup, Simon Van Arsdalen, John Strieker, Reynior Vechtcn, Elders, 
and Frans Cusart, Andrew Monton, John Broca, Harman Lean, Cornelius 
Wyckoff, Peter Schamp, Hendrick Van Deursen, John Messelaer, Abra- 
ham Ilize, Christopher Hoglan, Rem Garretsen, Cornelius Van Arsdalen, 
Andrew Ilagaman, Abraham Ilagaman, and James V^an Arsdalen, Deacons 
of the Dutch Reformed Congregations above-named, and the counties 
aforesaid, and their successors hereafter, the minister or ministers. Elders 
and Deacons of the respective Churches or Congregations, which at or any 
time hereafter, be duly chosen or appointed, shall be and remain one body 
politick and corporate in deed and fact, by the name of the trustees of the 
Dutch Reformed Church of Raritan, North-Branch, New-Brunswick, Six 
Mile Run, and Millstone in the counties aforesaid, and that all and every 
one, the ministers. Elders and Deacons before herein expressed, shall be 
the first trustees of the said churches and congregations now by these 
presents constituted and made one body politick by the name of the 
trustees of the Protestant Dutch Reformed Church, and shall so remain until 
others are duly called, chosen, and put into their respective place or places, 
and that they, the said body politick and corporate shall have perpetual 
succession in deed, foct, and name, to be known and distinguished by the 
name of The Trustees of the Dutch Reformed Church ; and all deeds, 
grants, bargains, sales, leases, evidences, or otherwise, whatsoever which 
may anywise relate or concern the corporation, and also that they and their 
successors, by the name of Tlie Trustees of the Dutch Reformed Church 
of Raritan, North-Branch, New-Brunswick, Six Mile Run, and Millstone, in 
the counties aforesaid, be and forever hereafter shall be, persons able in law 
to purchase, take, hold, or enjoy, any messuages, houses, buildings, lands, 
tenements, rents, or whatsoever in fee and forever, or for time of life, or lives, 
or in any other manner, so as the same exceed not at any time in the yearly 
value of seven hundred pounds sterling, per annum, beyond and above all 
charges, and reprizes, the statute of mortmain, or any other law to the con- 
trary notwithstanding, and also goods, chattels, and all other things to 
what kind soever, and also that they and their successors, by the name of 
The Trustees of the Dutch Reformed Church, shall and may give, grant, 
demise, or otherwise dispose of all or any of the messuages, houses, buildings, 
lands, tenements, rents and all other things as to them shall seem meet, at 
their own will and pleasure; and also that they and their successors, be 
and forever Jiereafter shall be, persons able in law to sue and be sued, 
plea and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be de- 
fended in all Courts and places, before us our heirs and successors, and 
before us, or any of the judges, officers, or ministers of us our heirs and 
successors, in all and all manner of actions, suits, complaints, pleas, 
causes matters, and demands, whatsoever; and also that the same trustees 
of the Dutch Reformed Chu'ches, above-named for the time being, and 
their successors shall and may.forever hereafter have and use a common 
seal with such device or devices, as they shall think proper for sealing all 
and singular deeds, grants, conveyances, contracts, bonds, articles of 



APPEXDIX. 201- 

agreemcnt, and all and singular their affairs touching or concerning the 
said corporation. And we do further ordain, will, or grant, that ail and 
every such lands, tenements, and hereditaments corporeal or incorporeal, 
money, goods, and chattels, which at any time before or after the date of 
these our letters patent, have been, or shall be, devised, given, or granted, 
to all or any of the particular churches above-named, within the said seve- 
ral counties of Hunterdon, Somerset, and Middlesex, or to any person or 
persons, in trust for them, shall be and remain in the peaceable and quiet 
possession of the corporation, according to the true intent or meaning of 
such devise or devises, gift or gifts, grant or grants : We do further will, 
ordain, give, and grant, that the trustees by these presents appointed, shall 
continue and remain the trustees of the Dutch Reformed Churches of Raritan, 
North-Branch, New-Brunswick, Six Mile Run, and Millstone, in the counties 
aforesaid, until others shall be called and chosen according to the manner, 
customs and methods now in use among the said Protestant Dutch Reformed 
Churches, which persons so called, elected, and chosen, shall have all the 
powers and authorities of the above-named trustees, and all and every 
such person or persons so newly called, elected, and chosen, as aforesaid, 
shall remain until other fit persons in liUe manner be called, elected, and 
chosen, in their respective rooms and places, and so toties qiioties. And 
we do further ordain, give, and grant, that there be a meeting of the 
several trustees of the churches aforesaid, at the Raritan public place of 
worship, in the Count}'' of Somerset, on the first Tuesday of August next, 
after the date of these our letters patent, and thereafter at such time or 
times, place or places, within the said counties as to them or the major 
part of them, shall seem meet and convenient, and then and there by plu- 
rality of votes choose a president out of them, for the time being, who shall 
have the custody of the seal or seals of the said corporation, and all books, 
charters, deeds, and writings, anyway relating to the said corporation, and 
shall liave power from time to time, and all times hereafter, as occasion 
shall require, to call a meeting of the said trustees, at such place within the 
said counties as he shall think convenient, for the execution of all or any 
of the powers hereby given and granted, and in case of sickness, removal, 
or death of the president, all the powers by these presents granted to the 
president shall remain on the senior trustee upon record, until the re- 
covery of the president or until a new president be chosen as aforesaid : 
And we do further will, ordain, give, or grant, that every act and order of 
the major part of the said trustees, consented or agreed to, at such meet- 
ing as aforesaid, shall be good, valid, and effectual to all intent and pur- 
poses, as if the said number of the whole trustees had consented and 
agreed thereto : And we do further will and ordain, that all the acts of the 
said trustees, or any of them, shall from time to time be fairly entered in 
a book or books to be kept for that purpose by the president of the trus- 
tees, for the time being, which book or books to be kept for that pur- 
pose by the president of the trustees, together with the seal of the said 
corporation, and all charters, deeds, and writings whatsoever, any way be- 



202 APPENDIX. 

longing to the said corporation, shall be delivered over by the former pre- 
sident, to the president of the said trustees newly elected, as such pre- 
sident shall hereafter successively from time to time be chosen : And we 
do further of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, for 
us, our heirs and successors, by these presents give and grant unto the 
said trustees of the Dutch Eeformed Church, the ministers, elders, and 
deacons above-named, and their successors forever, that they and their 
successors all and singular, the rights, privileges, powers, benefits, emolu- 
ments, and advantages, to be hereby granted, shall and may forever here- 
after, have, hold, enjoy, and use without hindrance or impediment of us, 
our heirs or successors, or of any of the justices, sheriffs, escheators, coro- 
ners, bailiff's, or other officers and ministers, whatsoever, of us, our heirs or 
successors, and that these our letters, being entered upon record in our 
secretary's office of New-Jersej'', and the record and the enrollment thereof 
and either of them, and all and every thing therein contained from time to 
time and at all times hereafter be and shall be firm, valid, good, sufficient, 
and effectual in law towards and against us, our heirs and successors, ac- 
cording to tlie true intent and meaning hereof, and in and through all 
things, shall be construed and taken and expounded most benignly and 
in favor for the greatest advantage and profit of the trustees of the said 
Dutch Eeformed Church of Raiitan, North-Branch, New-Brunswick, Six 
Mile Run, and Millstone, in the counties aforesaid, and their successors 
forever, notwithstanding any defect, default, or imperfection may be found 
therein, or any other cause or thing whatsoever. In testimony whereof we 
have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the great seal of our 
Province to be hereunto affixed, and the same to be entered of record in 
our Secretary's office of said Province of New-Jersey, in one of the books 
of record therein remaining, witness our well-beloved and trusty Jonathan 
Belcher, Esq., our Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief, in and over our 
said Province of New-Jersey, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral of the same, by 
and with the advice and consent of our council of our said Province, 
at Burlington, the seventh daj'- of June, and in the twenty-sixth year of 
our reign. 



IV. 

LIST OF MEMBERS IN FULL COMMUNION MAY 1st, 1794. 



1. Jacobus Van Nuis. 
i 2. John Schureman, ) * 
, 3. Ann Deremer. ( 

4. Peter Vredenburgh. 

5. Johannah Van Harlingcn, widow 

of Garret Voorhees. 

6. William Van Deursen, ) 

7. Ann Stryker. f 



8. Treytje Van Wicklen, widow of 

Fransis Van Dyke. 

9. Mary Young, w. of Abraham 

Ouke. 

10. Magdelina Vantinc, widow of 

Thomas Douty. 

11. Edward Van Harlingen. 
13. John Outgelt. 



* These braces indicate husband and wife. 



APPENDIX. 



203 



13, 

14, 
V' 15. 
/16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 
23. 
24. 
25. 

26. 

27. 

28. 

29. 

30. 
81. 
32. 
33. 

34. 

So. 

30. 

37. 

38. 
39. 
40. 
41. 
42. 
'43. 

44. 

45. 

46. 
47. 
48. 
49. 
60. 

51. 
52. 
53. 
64. 



Ephraiin Vantine, ^ 
Johannah Stoothoff. \ 
John Thomson, ) 



\r. of Peter 
widow of 



Jr. 



of John 



w. of Isaac 



Jane Stryker. 
Elizabeth Fisher, 
Vredenbergh. 
. Margaret Standley, 
Frederick Outgelt. 
. Barent Stryker, ( 
. Elizabeth Bennet. ] 
. Peter Vredenbergh, 
. Frederick Outgelt. 
. Abraham vSchuyler, 
. Alechi Voorhees. 
Elizabeth Van Dj-^ke, widow ol 

Frederick Van Liew. 
Catalina Voorhees, w. of Matthew 

Egerton. 
Neltje Voorhees, widow of Ferdi- 
,; nand Schureman. 
Neltje Schureman, w 

Van Ilarlingen. 
Ann Schureman, 
Vantine. 
John Van Este. 
Corneliusjiapleje. 
Janetje (Jornell. 
Garret Voorhees, \ 

Maretje . f 

Dina Ditmars, w. 

Vantine. 
Susana Van Este, w. of Je- 

romus Rapelje. 
Elizabeth Campbell, widow of 

Charles Vantine. 
Aerientje Nevius. 
Denice Van Liew, \ 
Dinah Durye. \ 

Peter Voorhees, ) 
Mary Buys. ) 
Elizabeth Deremer, 

seph Sillcox. 
Mary Snoterly, w. 

Nighmastei'. 
Ariantje Croescn, w. of William 

Nevius. 
Catelina,wid. of LucasVoorhees. 
John Wykolf. 
Frederick Van Liew, 
Ann Rappelje. 
Mary Van Arsdalen, w. of Abra 

ham Lott. 
Cornelius Suydara, \ 
Rachel Collens, 
William Van Duyn, 
Lena Voorhees, 



of Benjamin 



w. of Jo- 
of Leonard 



"} 



55. Mary Stolts, w. of Frederick Out- 

gelt. 

56. Ariantje Van Este. 

57. Catelina Cornell. 

58. Rachel Totten. 

59. Mary Ryder, w of Roelef Cornel. 

60. Elizabeth Stevenson, w. of Peter 

Voorhees. 

61. Martha Mount, widow of James 

Voorhees. 

62. Anetje Cornell, w. of Cornelius 

Van Derbilt. 

63. Arientje Cortelyou, w. of Roelef 

Cornell. 

64. Jane Nevius, widow of Ryck 

Van Derbilt. 

65. Maria Melleger, w. of Isaac Ben- 

net. 

66. Ida Van Derbilt. 

67. Christina Pieterson, widow of 

Joris Rappelje. 

68. Neeltje Nevius. 

69. Aaltje Rappelje, w. of Ilendrick 

Suydam. 

70. Simon Probasco. 

71. John Buys. 

72. Catherina Collier. 

73. John Whitlock, ) 

74. Eleanor Voorhees, ) 

75. Geertje Vantine, w. of David 

Nevius. 
70. Jane Williamson, w. of Corne- 
lius Van Duyn. 

77. Machteltje Peterson, w. of Jcre- 

mias Rappelje. 

78. Doretta Lott, w. of John Van 

Liew. 

79. Ann Hanco, w of Dirck Van 

Arsdalen. 

80. Ann French. 

81. Nicolas Bordine. 

82. Philip Ouke. 

83. Peter Ten Eyck. 

84. Magdalena Messerole. 

85. Margareta Vredenbcrg, w. of An- 

drew Powers. 

86. Lenah Van Devoort, widow of 

John Messerole. 

87. Abraham Ackerman, ) 

88. Jane Romeyn. f 

89. Altje Tunison, w. of John Van 

Est. 

90. Bernardus Garretsen. 

91. Abraham Lott. 

92. Martha Striker, widow of Albert 

Collins. 



204 



APPENDIX. 



93, Martha Collier, w. of Garret Ger- 
ritsen. 
Dinah Hardenbergh, -widow of 

Rev. J. R. Hardenbergh. 
Eleanor Hendrickson, w. of John 
Buys. 



94. 



95 



96. Frances Covenhoven 

97. Nicolas Van Brunt, 

98. Catherine Covenhoven 



.1 



Y. 

MEMBERS OF THIS CHURCH WHO HAVE ENTERED THE 
PEL MINISTRY. 



GOS- 



The following members who united with this church by profession of 
their faith, have gone forth to preach the Gospel. I include the names of 
the five sons of Mr. Frelinghuysen and the two sons of Mr. Leydt,* though 
they do not appear among our members. But they stand on our register 
of baptisms, and as this was their home, it is a natural inference that 
they here united with the church by profession. I omit a list of about the 
same number who were members by certificate : 

RECEIVED. LICENSED. 

Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen 1745 

" John Frelinghuysen 1750 

" Jacobus Frelinghuysen 1753 

" Ferdinandus Frelinghuysen 1753 

" Hendricus Frelinghuysen 1755 

" Samuel Verbryck 1744 1748 

" Matthew Leydt 1778 

" Peter Leydt 1788 

" Abraham Van Horn 1786 1788 

'' John S. Vredenbergh 1796 1800 

V' John Schureman, D.D . 1797 1801 

" Robert Bronk 1811 1813 

"■ Nicholas J. Marsellus, D.D 1812 1815 

" Abraham D. Wilson 1812 1815 

" Jacob D.Fonda 1817 1819 

" James B. Ten Evck 1818 1821 

'• David Abeel, D.D '. 1821 1826 

" Jefferson Wynkoop ] 821 1824 

" Robert J. Blair 1822 1823 

" John G. Tarbell 1822 1825 

" Samuel Centre 1822 18— 

" Ira Condict Boice 1823 1826 

" Cornelius C. Van Arsdale, D.D 1824 18— 

" Frederick B. Thompson 1827 1834 

" JohnManley 1828 1831 

' " Richard L. Schoonmaker 1828 1832 

" John Forsyth, D.D 1828 1832 

" John 0. Van Liew, 1829 1832 

*' Peter D.Oakey 1830 1844 

" James A. H. Cornell 1837 1841 

" Martin L. Schenck 1837 1840 

" Charles S. Hageman, ....D.D 1837 1843 

*' Paul D. Van Cleef, D.D 1837 1846 

" John A. Staats 1837 1840 



APPENDIX. 



205 



RECEIVED. LICENSED. 

Rev. John L. Janeway 1837 1840 

" David D. Demarest, D.D 1837 1840 

" William H. Steele 1837 1840 

" John De Witt, D.D 1837 1843 

" William A. Cornell 1838 1844 

" Abel T. Stewart 1838 ' 1846 

" Cornelius E. Crispell, D.D 1838 1842 

" Charles R. Von Romondt 1841 1844 

" William D. Buckelew 1841 1851 

" Abraham V. Wyckoflf 1842 1845 

" James 13. Wilson 1842 1851 

" John N. Jansen 1848 1851 

" Philip Furbeck 1848 1851 

'' William W. Letson 1850 1854 

" Robert R. Proudfit 1855 18— 

" Alexander Proudfit 1855 18— 

" Nathaniel H. Van Arsdale 1856 1867 

" Richard M. Whitbeck 1858 1862 



INSCRIPTION ON THE MONUMENT ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF REV. JOHN H 

LIVINGSTON, D.D. 

Sacred to the memory of the Rev. John H. Livingston, D.D., S.T.P. Born at Poughkeepsie, 
State ot New-York, May 30th, 1746 ; educated for the ministry at the University of Utrecht, in 
Holland ; called to the pastoral office of the Reformed Dutch Church, in New- York, in 1770 ; 
appointed by the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church in America, their professor in 
didactic and i)olemic theology, in 1781, and elected to the presidency of Queen's College, New- 
Jersey, in ISIO. There, in performance of the duties of his office, and blessed in the enjoyment of 
mental energy, high reputation, and distinguished usefulness, he suddenly but sweetly fell asleep 
in Jesus, January 20th, 1S25, in the seventy-ninth year of his age, the fifty-fifth of his ministrj-, 
and the forty-first of his professional labors. In him, with dignified appearance, extensive eru- 
dition, almost unrivaled talents, as a sacred orator and professor, were blended manners polished, 
candid, and attractive, all ennobled by that entire devotion to his Saviour which became such a 
servant to yield to such a Master. In token of their gratitude for his services, and veneration for 
his memory, the General Synod have ordered this monumental stone to be erected. 



INSCRIPTION ON THE MONUMENT ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF REV. JOHN 
SCIIUREMAN, D.D. 



Beneath this stone are deposited the remains of Rev. John Schureman, D.D., professor of pas 
toral theology, ecclesiastical history, and church government, in the Theological Seminary of the 
Reformed Dutch Church, at New-Brunswick ; who, while engaged in a course of active and highly 
useful labors, enjoying the confidence of the churches and the affections of his brethren, departeii 
this life, May 15th 181S, in the fortieth year of his age. 



20G 



APPENDIX. 



VI. 



CHURCH OFFICERS. 



bldJrs. 
April, 
nn Roelef Seebring 



1718 Aart Aartsen 
Isack Van Dyck 
Roelf Seebring j 

1719 Jan Aten 
Laurens Willems 

1720 Charles Fontein 

1721 Roelef Neyius 
Johannes Folker- 

sen 
1722^Thonias Eowman 

1724 Johannes Stoothof 
Roelpli Neviusj 

1725 Thomas Bowman 
Minne Van Voor- 

hees 
1727 Johannes Stoothof 
Minne Van Voor- 

hees 
liendriok Fisher 
1T32 Hendrick Fisher 
Abraham Ouke 
Roelef Nevius 

1733 Roelef Seebring 
Roelef Van Voor- 

hees 

1734 Albert Voorhees 
Petrus Slegt 

1735 Hendrick Fisher 

1736 Hendrick Fisher 
Roelef Nevius 
Abraham Ouke 

1740 Gerrit Gerritsen 

1741 Jeremiah Van Der- 

bilt 

1742 Hendrick Fisher 
Gerrit Gerritsen 

1743 Hendrick Van Leu- 

wen 
Roelef Voorhees 
1749 Cornelius Bennett 



DEACONS. 

Hendrick Bries 
Roelf Lucas (Van Voor- 
hees) 

Johannes Folkers 
Hendrick Bries 
Roelef Lucas 



1750 



1752 



1753 
1754 



1756 
1757 



William William- 
son 
Gerrit Gerritson 
Hendrick Fisher 
Chris'n Van Doom 
Petrus Sleght 
Johannes Messe- 

laer 
Cornelius Bennett 
William Van Duyn 
Hendrick Fisher 



Jacob Ouke 

Hans Stoothoff 
Hendrick Bries 

Laurens Wilirase 
Minne Van Voorhees 

William Moor 
Hendrick Fisher 
Abraham Ouke 

Hendrick Fisher 
Albert Voorhees 

Albert Voorhees 
Abraham Ouke 



Cornelius Bennet 
Jeremias Van Derbilt 
Peter Wilmsen 
Jakobus Buys 



Dirck Van Arsdalen 



Derrick Van Arsdalen 
Gerrit Fabryck 
Jan Aten, Jr 
Nicolas Van Dyck 
William Davids 
William Wilimsen 
Abraham Van Dooram 
Nicolas Van Dyck 
Christian Van Dooram 
Peter Slegt 



Hendrick Van Deusen 
Johannes Meselar 
Abraham Heyr 



Derrick Van Veghte 
Abraham Van Doom 
Andrew Meyr 
Johannes Schureman 
Archibald Tomson 
Peter Vredenburg 

Albert Voorhees 
Abraham Van Doom 



Cornelius Seebring 
Ernestus Van Harlin- 

gen 
Jacobus Van Nuise 
Hendrick Van Derbilt 
John Thompson 
James Stryker 
William Van Deursen 
John Thomson 
Peter Vredenburg, Jr. 

Jacobus Stryker 
Johannes Van Neste 
Frederick Van LeuweD 
Frederick Outcalt 
John Thomson 
Denice Van Liew 
John Bice 



James Striker 
Garret Voorhees 



ELDERS. 

1765 Hendnck Fisher 

Fernard Schure- 
man 

Derrick V'n Veghte 

Johannes Schure- 
man 

John M. Van Har- 
linger 

1789 Peter Vredenburg 
William Van Deur- 
sen 

1790 Adrian Hageman 
Abraham Schuyler 
Rynear Smock ] 

1793 John Schureman 
John Van Neste 
William Van Deur- 
sen 
Garret Voorhees 

March 12, 1794. 
*Denice Van Liew Peter V. Voorhees, son 

Peter Vredenburgh, Jr. of Garret 

Francis Covenhoven 

Aprii. 5, 1795. 
Peter Vredenburgh, Sr. Nicholas Bordine 
Nicholas Van Brunt Cornelius Kappleyea 

April 25, 1796. 

Philip Oke 
John Wjckoff 

April 20, 1797. 
John Thompson, Sr. Cornelius Van Debilt 
Frederick Outgelt Simon Anderson 

April 20, 1798. 
Denice Van Liew Francis Covenhoven 

Abram Schuyler Henry Cock 

May 14, 1799. 
Nicholas Bordine Benjamin Taylor 

William Van Deursen Abram A. Voorhees 

Mat 13, 1800. 
Peter Vredenburgh, Jr. John Van Liew 
Peter Voorhees, of Mid- Peter Tenike 
dlebush 

May 19, 1800. 
♦tAbram Schuyler 

JnNK 15, 1801. 
Frederick Outcalt Ruliff Cornell 

♦William Van Deursen Jerome 0. Rappelyee 

March 30, 1S02. 
Philip Oake Abm. Lott 

Garret Voorhees j Cornelius Cornell 

April 17, 1803. 
Cornelius Meflar Benjamin Taylor 

Nicholas Bordine Simon Anderson 

May 19, 1804. 
Denice Van Liew Frederick Outcalt, Jr. 

Alexander Rosegrants John Van Harlingen 



* Reelected. 



t To fill vacancy. 



$ Died In office. 



APPENDIX. 



207 



elders. deacons. 

Mat 5, 1805. 
William Van Deursen Peter Voorhees 
Frederick Outcalt Philip Pierson 

JlAY 10, ISOO. 

John Wyckoff Peter S. Wjckoff 

Philip dake Henry Cock 

May 3, 1S07. 
Abram Schuyler Benjamin Taylor 

Micbolas Bordinc John Buice 

May- 14, 1S0S. 
John Vun Harlingeu Jlichard Lupardua 
Jeromus C. Kappleyee John Van Liew 

May 15, 1809. 
Frederick Outcalt Abrah.am Voorhees 

William Van Deursen Bernardus Kider 

May 12, ISIO. 
Philip Okey Henry A'an Arsdalen 

Peter Voorhees (Middle- David Fine 
bush) 

May 1, ISll. 
Benjamin Taylor *.Vl)raliam Voorhees 

I'eter Wyckolf Jacob Bergen 

Jri.Y 15, 1812. 
^Vi^iam Van Deursen Dennis F. Van Llew 
Garret Voorhees Frederick Outcalt, Jr. 

May 14, 1SI3. 
Nicholas Bordine John Boice 

Abin. Broner P;;ter P. Voorliejs 

April 30, 1S14. 
lUchard Lupardus Abm. Van Arsdalen 

John WyckofT Peter Gordon 

tHenry Van .\r?dalen 
tJohn D. Van Licw 

Aprii. 3, 1SI5. 
*IIeury Van Arsdalen *Jolin Boice 
*J«hu D. Van Liew Garret Van Arsdalen 

March 11, 1816. 
Peter Voorhees Henry Outcalt 

Peter Vredenburgh, Jr. Jacob J. Bergen 
Abraham Voorhees tUriah Lott 

John F. Van Liew (one Henry Johnson 

year) William French (one 

year) 

March IS, 1810. 
-(•Francis Covenhovcn 
tBernardus Kyder 

March 17, 1817. 
Henry Cock George O. Nevius 

Peter Gordon William Ha^anum 

Philip Okey *$Uriah Lott 

September 15, 1817. 
tJames Schureman Richard Manley 

March 17, 181S. 
John D. Sufphin Frcdoiick Van Liew 

John Boice Henry Hoagland 

Garret Voorhees tAbm, Van Arsdalen 

April 20, 1819. 
Dennis F. Van Liew Thomas Letson 
iVederick Outcalt Henry Outcalt 

Henry Van Arsdalen Garret Van Arsdalen 



elders. dea( ons. 

April 23, 1819. 
t James Schureman 

April 18, 1820. 
Garret Van Arsdalen *Uichard Man ley 
John C. WyckofT Dcnice Van lyiew 

Jeromus Rappleyea Cornelius I. Wyckoff 

tJacob J. Bergen 

May 3, 1821. 
Peter Voorhees Nicholas Booraem 

David Fine Abm. 0. Voorhees 

George G. Neviiis John Van Nortwick 



May 10, 1822. 



John D. Sutphin 
William French 
Henry Hoagland 



Jacob Wyckoff 
Henry H. Schenck 
John SlothofT 



I April 7,1823. 

' Francis Covenhoven Adrien Manley 

Henry Outcalt Robert Lyle 

I Frederick Outcalt Rulif Van Nostrand 

Aprils, -1824. 
Peter Gordon *Henry H. Schenck 

Peter Voorhees David Nevius 

Henry Van Arsdalen David D. Nevius (Mid- 
tPhilip Okey dlebush) 

tFrederick Van Liew 



May 29, 1825. 



George G. Nevius 
Thomas Letson 
Abraham Voorhees 



Jacob Wyckoff 
Abm. O. Voorhees 
Isaac S. Brower 
I tllenry V. Deinott • 

I April 1, 182C. 

! Richard Sfauley Abraham Suydam 

Cornelius I. WyckofT Henry Vroom 
Jacob I. Bergen *Henry V. Demott 

March 20, 1827. 
Frederick Outcalt George Boice, Jr. 

*Thotnas Letson Abm. V. Thompson 

Henry H. Schenck Isaac G. Sillcocks 

MARCii 24, 1823. 
Henry Van Arsdalen Richard Duryea, Jr. 
John StothofT Powell Dehart 

Nicholas Booraem Ralph Voorhees 

March 23, 1829. 
George G. Nevius William Mann 

Jacob Wyckoff David Nevius 

David Fine James Garretson 

March ai, 1S30. 
Richard Manley Abraham Suydam 

Henry Outcalt Henry Dehart 

Frederick F. Van Liew Cornelius Van Dorcn 

Fedruary 22, 1831. 
Henry H. Schenck Henry Vroom 



Lewis Carman 
William Sunderland 



Isaac a. Sillc 
Isaac S. Brower 
♦tDavid Fine 

! Perruarv 21, 1S32. 

Nicholas Booraem Powell Dehart 

Richard Duryea, Jr. Henry V. Demott 

John Stothoff William W. Van Duyn 

Fedrcary 18, 1633. 
Thomas Letson Lewis D. Hardenbergh 

George 6. Nevius Henry Van Liew 

Jacob Wyckoff George Boice, Jr. 

tDavid fine 



208 



APPENDIX. 



elders. deacons. 

Febrdart 14, 1834. 
*.Iohn Stothoff Henry Schenck 

Henry H. Schenck John Doty 

Abraham Suydam Nicholas E. Baynon 

June 7, 1884. 
tGeorge Boice 

February 9, 1835. 
Powell Dehart John W. Brunsoii 

Lewis Carman James Garretson 

Richard Duryea, Jr. Cornelius L. Harden- 

bergh 

February 1, 1836. 
*George Boice Jacob T. B. Skillman 

Dnvid Fine 
Nicholas Booraem 



David Voorhes, Jr. 
John Degraw 
tPeter Buckelcw 



John Doty 

Abraham J. Voorliees 



February 4, 1839. 
David Fine Johnson Letson 

Kichard Manley John W. Bergen 

Lewis Carniiiii John IL Stotboff 

February 3, 18-10. 
James Garretson Kichard Outcalt 

Peter Wyckoff Nich. R. Cowenhoven 

Nicholas Booraem William McDonald 

February 9, 1841. 
Jacob Wyckoff *John H. StotholT 

John Doty James H. Newell 

Henry Hoagland John W. Brunson 

February 7, 1843. 
Powell Dehart Jacob Dehart 

George G. Nevius John Johnson 

♦James Garretson Henry Vroom 

February 15, 1848. 
Henry H. Scheuck James Van Nuise 

Richard Manley Johnson Letson 

David Fine George Eldridge 

*tJacob Wyckoff 

February 7, 1844. 
Richard Outcalt Peter Wyckoff, Jr. 



Peter Buckalew 
Jacob T. B. Skillman 



Francis C. Manley 
John M. Ilagaman 



February 5, 1845. 
James Garretson William Waldron 

Abraham J. Voorhees John S. Letson 
Authur B. Sullivan Lewis Applegate 

February 4, 1846. 
Powell Dehart Robert Van Nuise 

Henry Vroom Benjamin V. Ackerman 

John Doty Stephen Voorhees 

February 10, 184T. 
Henry H. Schenck William G. Dehart 



elders. deac0k3. 

February 2, 1848. 
Peter Wyckoff Ralph Van Nostrand 



David Voorhees 
Lewis Carman 



Peter 0. Buckele« 
James Egerton 



February 13," 1^37. 
Hem-y H. Schenck Jacob H. Outcalt 

Cornelius L. Harden- James I. Garretson 

bergh Jacob A. Van Deventer 

William Mann 

February 5, 1838. 
Henry Van Liew *David Voorhees 

George Boice, Jr. 
Henry Van Arsdale 



February 7, 1S49. 
Nicholas Booraem Cornelius Van Neste 

David Fine John A. Manley 

William Waldron David Cole 

February 5, 1850. 
James Garretson Jacob Outcalt 

Henry Van Liew Jesse P. Hagaman 

George Eldridge Alfred VV. Mayo 

February 5, 1851. 
John Doty James Wyckoff 

Jllenry H. Schenck Isaac Voorhees 

{ Peter Buckelew Lewis Applegate 

! 

; May 7, 1851. 

; *;JPeter Z. Elmendorf 

j February 11, 1852. 

James Conover Martin Nevius 

Johnson Letson Peter V. Wyckoff 

John W. Brunson Stejjhen Voorhees 

February 9, 1853. 
John Doty James Van Nuise, Jr. 

Kichard Outcalt William G. Dehart 

I Cornelius Van Neste George Ackerman 

February 16, 1853. 
tWilliam McDonald tJesse F. Hagaman 

February 4, 1854. 
Abraham J. Voorhees Ira C. Voorhees 
AVilliam Waldron Peter Wyckoff, Jr. 

James Garretson John Clark, Jr. 

February 15, 1855. 
Nicholas Booraem John Bergen 



John Johnson 
John W. Brunson 



James Van Nuise, Jr. 
Isaac Voorhees 



George Eldridge 
Henry Van Liew 



Ralph Voorhees 
Jonathan B. Connett 



January 31, 1S56. 
John Johnson Robert Van Nuis 

Jacob Outcalt R. V. V. Bailey 

Ralph Van Nostrand Krozen T. B. Spader 



January 29, 1857. 



David Voorhees 
Jacob H. Outcalt 
Johnson Letson 



Rich'd A. Van Arsdale 
Alfred B. Van Derhoef 
Benjamin V. Ackermaa 
*tJohn BeiTjen 



February 11, 1858. 
William McDonald Isaac Voorhees 

AVilliam Waldron Lewis Applegate 

John W. Brunson Charles Dunham 

tJohn A. Manley 

February 10, 1859. 
.Tacob Dehart James H. Sillcocks 

Ira C. Voorhees George Butler 

Martin Nevius James Garretson, Jr. 

*tJohn A. Manley 

February 19, 1860. 
William G. Pehart Peter V. Wyckoff 

James Egerton Abraham A. Voorhees 

Peter Buckelew Jesse F. Hagaman 



APPENDIX. 



209 



ELDERS. DEiCOSS. 

February 7, 1S61. 
.Tfimes Garretsoa Lewis Applcpate 

Johnson Letson Jonathan B. Connett 

David Voorhees George V. Smith 

February 6, 1S02. 
John Berpen Jlenry II. Booraem 



John W. lirunson 
Isaac Voorhees 



John"lI. Tapping 
John S. Dchart 



February 5, 1S6.3. 
John Johnson George Buttler 

John M. II:igaman Adam Lutz 

Benjamin V. Ackerman ifJolin Clark, Jr. 

February 4, IS&l. 
Nicholas Booraem Richard A. Van Arsdale 

Henry Van Liew Krozer T. B. Spader 

John V. M. AVyckoff Abm. A. Voorhees 



ELDERS. DEACONS. 

February 2, 1S65. 
Johnson Letson David Coddington 

Martin Nevius John lirunson 

Ira C. Voorhees Henry V. D. Schenck 



February 8, 1866. 



Isaac Voorhees 
John Beekman 
Jesse F. Haeaman 



Van Marter W. Pnvdam 
Gilhert S. Van Pelt 
Henry K. How 
tJohn S. Dehart 



February 9, 1867. 

Ferdinand S. Cortelyou John S. Ftewart 
Lewis Applegate John V. H. Van Cleef 

George Buttler Nicholas W. I'arsell 



VII. 



MEMBERS OF THE FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH OF 
NEW-BRUNSWICK, N. J. 

(c for certificate ; in for living members ; names inclosed in braces indicate husband and 
wife ; names of ministers in small capitals.) 

"the church members of the river and LAWRENCE BROOK, 1717." 



Adriaen Bennet ) 
Angenietie f 

Aart Aartsen \ 
Klisabit S 

Isack Van Dyck ) 
Barbera ( 

Boelof Seebring |_ 
Christyn ( 

Johannes Folkersen I 
Angenietie ) 

Hendrick Dries I 
Heniie ( 

Koelof Van Voor- ) 
hees V 

Helena ) 

Laurens Wilimsie I 
Saara ) 

Bnelof Nevius | 
Katalyna ) 



Jan Van Voorhees I 
Neeltje f 

Minne Van Voorhees I 
Antie f 

Samuel Molfort 
Maria Frelanth 
Jaknbus Oukee I 
Henne ( 

Johannes Stootliof | 
Neeltie )' 

Abraham Bennet | 
Jiinnitie J 

Klisabit Dries 
Jakis Fontyn ) 
Annike ) 

Siaarls (Charles) Fon- 
tyn 
Helena 
Annatie Folkersen 



Jakobus Buys ) 
Marrietie j 

Jan A ten 
Thomas Aten ) 
Klsie r 

Thomas Davidts | 
Annatie j" 

Heelena Hogelandt 
Willira Klaasen I 
Marija f 

Maregeretie Reynierse 
Thomas Bouwman | 
Neeltie ) 

Marten Van Der Iloeve 
William Moor 
Andries Woortman ) 
Jannitie f 

Johannes Koevert I 
Jannitie f 



Dnrbara Janse 
Niccklas Bason 
Hendrick Meesch ) 
Annamadeline ) 
Ik-rnardus Kuetor ( 
Elizabeth C 

Johannis Metsolaer 
Geurtie Smock 
Elizabit Smock 
Christofel Van Ars- 

dalen 
Madaleentie 
Jakop Corse I 
Adriaantie ) 
Katrina Boyd 
Cornelius Sudatn \ 



Maritie 



Joris Anderse i 
Jacomendie i 



The above list comprises the original membership of the church, and was completed probabI.T 
about .\ugust 1st, 1717. There are seventy-three names, embracing that portion of the Three 
Mile Run church living in the neighborhood of New-Brunswick, and favoring this enterprise. 



April 5, 1720. 
Jacobus Pchurerman Albert Van Voorhies c i 
Staetje Staats, w. of ArriMentie c. j 

Hendrick Blauw c William Tysen Van j 
Gillesje Van Ksp, w. of De Kype c 

.\udrie3 Bouwman c Aaunetje ] 

August 11, 1721. 
Abraham Ouke Cornelis Bennet 

Hendrick Vi33er(Fislier) 

September 20, 1728. 
Peter Plegt Koelef Voorhees, Jr. 

Peter Willimsen 



Jan Aeten, Jr. 
Saertie, wld. of 
Voorhees 

u 



Mat 17, 1734. 

Catharintja Slegt 



September 20, 1736. 



Jacobus Garritsen 
Lemetje Volkers 



Isaac Jansen c I 
Jannetje c f 



September 10, 1738. 



Anna Baum, wid 

Jan De Peyster 
Nicolas Groesbeck 
Johanna Corlear 
Catharina Van Emburir, Lea Range 

w. of Richard Gibbs 



of Nicolas Daily 
Jannetje Wilmsen 
Willem Wilmsen 
Abraham Uaeir 



1740. 

Aeltje Van Norden.wid. Nicolas Van Dyck 
of Jan La Monies c Joslna Van Norden 



210 



APPEXriX. 



Ai-GCST 10,1741. 
Klizabeth Daeyli Gerliardus Eauclier c I 

Catheiitia Schuyler Maria De Peystor c f 
John M. Van Harlin- | Irla llendrickson 

gen c y Dirck Scliuyler 

Maria Bussing c ) Isaac Van Noordstran 

Hendrick Van Deur- | Archibald Tompson 

sen c y Hannah Meier 

Arrienfje Staats c ) Susanna French 
Dirck Van Vegten c Kebecca Montaugue 
Maria Beillo, wid. of Anna Clarinson 

Joseph Smith c Marrietje Van Uer Bilt 

Annat^niith, w. of lien- Antje Van Aersdalen 

drick Langeveld c Aeltje Van Aersdalen 
March 29, 1744. 
Jacobus A'an Nuis Elisabeth Ten Broecke, 

Samuel Vkrbkyck w. of Dirck Van 

Philip Yong Vegten 

Eva Tys 

October 27, 1749. 
Jan Voorhees \^ Elizabeth Meyer, w. of 

Neeltje j Petrus Slegt 

Cutel>-ynt.je, w. of Hen- 
drick Blauw 

November 9, 1750. 

Peter Vonrhees J jAntJe Deremer, w. of 

Sophia Van De Boo- ~ 

gard 
Coba Scheurman, \ 

of Archibald Tliomp- 

son. 

NOVE.MBER 2, 1752. 

Fredrick Berge c ) Johannes Martinus 
(levretje c f Van Harlingen 

Albert Voorhees c ) Arnoldus Van Ilarlin- 
Adrianna Van Der- > gen 

voort e "" L Johanna Van Harlin- 

Margaritje Terhune,^ gen, w. of Oerret 

wid. of lienricus /; Voorhees. r"" ■ . 

A'au Dyck, ElizaUetli Dererfier, w. 

Marritje Van Arsdalen c of Abraham Van- 
I'etrus Vreiienl)erg teyn 

Francois A'an Dyck Treiumetje Voorhees 
Johannes Schureman 

April 1, 1753. 
William Van Dnyn 
His wife 



(AntJ 

VjMer Stryker 

Andrew Meyer' 



Oeorge Anderson 
Denys Van Duyn I 
Lena j 

Siuion Van VVicklen 

His wife 
Derek Rajipleyea 1 



Ealtje, w. of Cornelus 

I'iterson 
Ant.je, wid. of Hen- 
drick Smock 
Derrick Volkersen 
Lidia, w. of Cornelius 

Buys 
Peter Cowenhoven I 
His wife f Elizabeth j 

Etlje, w. of Evert Johanna Daely, wid. of 
Duyckin Bernardus Begardus 

Marrytje, w. of Jan 
Noordwyk 

October 25, 1754. 
Hendrick Onderdonk c Elizabeth Oathout, w. 
Antje Van Cielder, vv. of of Jan Ten Broek c 
Johannes Folkerse c 

Mat 15, 1765. 
Aasje Erickson, w. of Marytje WyckofF, wid. 
Jan Van Orden c of G. Garretsen 

May 27, 1757. 
Hendrick Van Derbilt Lena Denyse, wid. of 
Cornelius Sebering Fredrick Van Lieu- 

Keyk Van Derbilt wen 

Maria La Fever, w. of Lebytje Dries, w. of 

.lohannes Vanteyn Hendrick Fisher 

'Villiani Van Deursen Maria Ouke. w. of 



Angenitje Bennet 
Catherina Tenbroek, w. 
of Derrick Van Alen 



Abraham Heyr. 



December 23, 175S. 
Jan Misserol 
Lena Vauder-'oort 



)rt j 



November 2, 1759. 
Johannes Van 1 Genletje Vredenburg, 

Schaick c V w. of Laurens Van 

Aleha Bogart c ) Kanip 

Treytje Van ^Vickle, w. Maria Oothout 

of F'rancis Van Dyck Elizabeth Van Deursen 

May 14, 17(13. 
Gertruid Schuyler, w. Ernestus Van llarliu- 

of John Cociiran c gen. 

Jannetje Stryker, wid. 

of Jacobus Stryker c 

November 4, 1763. 
John Philip Herbit c 



May 8, 1764. 



Cornelius Clapper 



June 13, 17CG. 



Lucas Voorhees ) 
Neeltje Van Derbilt ( 
Abraliam Van Leuwen 
Eva Ouke 



Denvs Van Leuwen | 
Ida Wykhoir ) 

ICngelje, w. of John 
Sleight 



April 17, 17C7. 
Samuel Molfort 

November, 1769. 
Catlyntje Westervelt, 
w. of Johannes Ity- 
der 



June 2vS, 1770. 



Jacobus 
ter 



Van Devon- | 

Elizabeth Ppringstein ) 

Catrina Stryker, w. of 

William Van Deur- 



sen. 
Maria Young, 
Abraham Ouke 



w. of 



Magdalen, w. of Tho- 
mas Doughty 

Antje Van Cleef, wid. 
of John Wilson 

John Voorhees 

Fredrick Oudgelt c 



October 2, 1772. 



Jacobus Cornel 
Edward Van Harlingen 
Leflert Waldron 
Abraham Ouke 
Johannes Oudgelt 
Ephraim Vanteyn I 
Johanna Stoothoff ( 
Johannes Thomson ) 
Jannetje Stryker ) 
Jacobus Uassert 



Geertruy Schuyler, w. 
of Peter Voorhees 

Maria Van Derbilt, w. 
of Johannes Voor- 
hees. 

Elizabeth Fisher, w. of 
Petrus Vredenburg 

Margaret Standley, w. 
of Fredrick Oudgelt. 



September 16, 1773. 



Abraham Freland c ) 
Lenah Ackerman c ) 
Abraham G. Acker- | 

man c > 
Jannetje Romeyn c ) 
Meyer, wid. of 

Frans Bralt 



George Anderson } 
Metje Van Wickelen f 
Barent Stryker ( 
Elizabeth Bennet ( 
Jannetje Voorhees, w. 

of Jacobus Cornell 
John Sleght 



May S, 1779. 



Peter Low ) 

Janitje Van Deursen ) 
Aaron Gilbert 
Jacobus Stryker 
Maria Smyth, wid. 
Maria Lefevre, wid. 



Altje Tunison, w. of Jo- 
hannis Van Nest o 

Peter Vredenburgh, 
Jr. c 

Margaret Schureman 

Bernardus Gerritseu 



■J 



APPENDIX. 



211 



June 2S, 1782. 

'-Dirck Dercmer Neltje Schurenian, w. 

FredricU OutgeU of John Van Harlin- 

Abraham Schuyler (^ gen 

Aelchi Voorhees ) Ant.je Schureman, w. 

Fredrick Van Lieuw- | of Isaac Van Tyn 

men V Nelt.je Schureman, wid. 

Elizabeth Van Dyck ) of Ferdinand Schure- 

Catelyna Voorhees, w. man 
of Matthew Kgerton 

NOVEMDER 9, 1786. 
Abraham Lott c Cornelius Rappelje 

Martha Str\ ker, wid. of Jannetja Cornel 

Albert CoUyer c (Jarret Voorhees ) 

Sfartha Collyer c Marretja Ditmas ) 

Dina Hardenbergh, w. Dina Ditmas 

of Rev. J. U. Harden- Susanna Van Neste, w. 

bergh c of Jeromus Rai)i>leje 

Johannes Van Neste Elizabeth Cammel,wid. 
AiiiiAUAM Van IIokne, of Charles Fonteyn 

Jr. Arriantje Nevius 

June, 17S7. 

Adriaen liegemen c Margaret Snotterly, w. 

Uarbara M. 'reison,wid. of Leonard Nighmas- 

of Richard Gibbs c ter 

Nela Ilendrickson, w. Ariantje Croesen, w. of 

of Johannes Buys c William Nevius 

Dennice Van Lieuw ) Margareta Nevius, w. 

Dina Durye j of James Renten 

Peter Voorhees I Catalina, wid of Lucas 

JIarya Buys j Voorhees 
\/ Elizabeth Deremer, w. 

of Joseph Cilco.'c 

November 2, 17ST. 
John WyckofT JIary Van Arsdalen, w. 

Fredrick Van Leuwen ) of Abraham Lott 
Antje Itappeljee f 

June 7, 178S. 
Cornelius Puydam ) Elizabeth Stephenson, 
Rachel Collens j w. of Peter Voorhees 

Villiam Van Duyn \_ Martha Mount, w. of 
Lena Voorhees ( Jacolnis Voorhees 

Maria Low, w. of Peter Annaet.je Cornel, w. of 

Dunmnt Cornelius Van Der- 

Maria Stolts. w.of Fred- bilt 

lick Outgelt Rachel Collens 

Ariantje Van Neste Elizabeth Stephenson 
Catalina Cornel Martha Mount 

Rachel Totten 
Maria Ryder, wid. of 

Roelf Cornel 

NOVEMBBR 8, 17SS. 
Peter Crolius c I Marya Mellger, w. of 

Mary Lock c ) Isaac Rennet 

'J'eunis llappeljee ) Ida Van Derbilt 
Antje Dorlants I Christeyntje Pietersen, 
Ariantje Cateljou,w. of wid. of Joris Rap- 

Roeir Cornel peljee 

Janetje Nevius, wid. of Aaltje Itappeljee, w. of 

Ryck Van Derbilt Ilendrick Suydam 

Junk 6, 1TS9. 
Frances Covenhoven c Jennetje Williamson, 
Simon Probasco w. of Cornelius Van 

John liuis Duyn 

John Whitlock ^ Marcliteltje Pieterse, 

Neely Voorhees ) w. of Jeromus Rap- 

Peter V. Duniont peljee 

Geertje Fonteyn, w. of Doretta Lott, w. of Jan 
David Nevius Van Leuwen 

October 23, 1789. 
Jacobus Stryker c | Anne Hans, w. of Dirck 
Sara Messelaer c j Van Arsdalen 

Anne French 



; C 1 Philip Ouke 
0- >■ Peter Ten Eyck 
j Maria Suydaui 



JuLT 7, 1702. 
Nicolas Van Brunt c 
Catherine Covenho- 
ven c 
Nicolas Berdine ' Magdalene Messercle 

Cornelus B. Wyckoff 

July 20, 1793. 
Margarite Vredenburgh, 
w. of Andrew Powers 

May 3, 1794. 
Jacob Rappleyee Elizabeth, wid. of Jaco- 

Joseph Silcocks bus Gulick c 

Maria, Voorhees w. of Abraham Slover 

Jaquish Van Liew Maria Van Liew 
Ann, w. of Jacobus De- Ann Colclier, w. of 

hart Nich's Bordine 

Elsey Van Dervoort, w. Sarah Dehart, w. of Ru- 

of Abram Voorhees lif Voorhees 
Sarah Perine, w. of Sarah Van Tine, w. of 

Rev. Ira Condict c Jacobus Hogeland c. 

Elizabeth Trinibach c Helena, wid. of Lucas 

w. of Stephen Van Voorhees 

Siclen 

October 5, 179.5. 
Johannah Voorliees Mary Covenhoven, w. of 
Pliebe Tenike, w. of Si- Hendrick Bergen 
mon Probasco 

M.1Y2, 1795. 
Simon Anderson I 
Mary Van Angler f 
James Striker c ( Benjamin Taylor c ) 
Sarah Mesler c f Catharine c )' 

October 3, 1795. 
George Rappleyee ( Mary Covert, w. of 
Jane Bergen \ Abram Van Doren 

Phebe Van Deveer, w. Johannah Bennett, w. 

of John M. Voorhees of James Perine 
Mary Van Tine, w. of Maria Farmer, w. of 



Catliarine Van Derbilt, 
w. of Jacob Meserole 



Jerome Van Este 
Henry Outirelt i 

Margaret i 

Henry C^ck (^ 
Jane Gulick ) 



Matthias Van Der- 
veer c 
Nellie, serv't of James 
Schureman c 



April 23, 1706. 

Cornelius Van Derbilt Jacob Mescrole 

Cornelius Van Diiren Sarali Ijoop 

Polly Lott Getty Wvckoffc 

Jane Van N'ortwick, w. llilleje Van Deliilt, w. of 
of John Bice c Dennis Stryker c 



October 22, 1796. 



Van Harlingen | Cornelius 
ing j John S. V 



John Van Harlingen 
Gertr 



Cornel 

UKDENBCRGII 



October 22, 170C. 
Sarah Taylor, w. of Christiana, w. of Peter 

John Voorhees Tlioiii|)son 

Catherine Van Deursen Ann Thompson 
Sarah Whitlnck, w. of 

Daniel Brinson 

Apr.iL 29, 1707. 

John ?cnuREMAN Abraham Voorhees 

Catliarine, wid. of Jas. Catharine Brown, w. 

Brown of Philip Oky 

Mary Mount, w. of Nancy Farmer, w. of 

John Voorhees Jacob Bordine 

Sarah Johnson, w. of Eve.lohnson. w. of AVil- 

Abram Buckeliew liani Van Sichlen 

Cornelia, serv't of Jas. 

Schureman 



212 



APPENDIX. 



//fr I 



October 21, 1797. 
John Van Devender Benjamin Woodward 
Alclie Rappleyea, w. of Maria Vredenburgh, w. 

John Bergen of Matthew Sleght 

Ann Spader, w. of Fred- Ann Van Arsilelen, wid. 

erlck Van Liew of Ilendrick llulick 

Eve, serv't of Abrara 

Voorliees c 

April 15, 179S. 
Rulif Cornel Catharine Haviland, w. 

Frederick Outgelt I of Abram Van Tine 

Abigal Voorhees j Samuel, serv't of Abm. 

Adrien Van Nostrand | A. Voorhees 
Helena Meserol f Maria Meslar c 

Ann Vooi-hees, wid. of Rem Garrison "| 

Jacob Hazard Elizabeth Vacter m '■ 

Catharine Seoby, w. of now the wid. 

Abraham Voorhees John Williamson 
Cornelius Meslar c \ 

Andriantha c j 

Christiana G;ddiman, 

wid. of Gideon Van 

Canipen 

October 26, 1798. 
Frederick Van Liew John Nevius 
\J Jane Striker, w. of Jane Schureman, w. of 

Francis Covenhoven Abraham Van Arsda- 
Mary llofmer len 

Ceasiir, serv't of Jero- Sarah Nevius ■ 

mus Rappleye 

May 10, 1799. 
Peter Voorhees Bernardus Rider 

John Van Liew Auttie Van Doren 

Anna Voorhees, tt. of Ann Smock, wid. of 

Peter Vredenburgh John Outer 
Ellen Schuyler, w. of Margaret Ellis, w. of 

John Clark Wra. Van Horn 

OCTOBKR 19, 1799. 
Garret Nevius John Demott 

April 25, 1800. 
John Manley | Elenor Williamson, w. 

Charity Addis j of James Schureman 

Lanah Van Tine, w. of Elenor Schureman 
Jolin Dunham /Catharine Hude, wid. 

V Elizal)eth Nevius of Cornelius Low 

Oke Van Ilanglen c 
Lanah Scliureman, w. 
of Jonathan Combs 

October 10, 1 SCO. 
John Bergen Anna, w. of John Van 

Lanah Voorhees, w. of Liew 

Peter Voorhees Mary Cock, w. of Caleb 

Betsey Garretson Haviland 

May 8, 1801. 
Philip Pierson Sarah Garrison, w. of 

Mary Uowlin, w. of Dirck Demutt 

John Nevius Temperance Tallmage, 

Peter Wyckoff C ) w. of Abram Acker- 

Gertrude Nevius c ) man 

Alexand'rRosecransc I Scitje Nevius c 
Mary Wortman c f 

July 12, 1801. 
Mary Baldwin, w. of 

Philip Pierson c 

October 2, 1801. 
Dinah Van Wicklen, J aneVan Middle swarth. 

wid.of JohnProbasco V? ot John Bennet c 
Catharine Van Arsda- Barbara Garrison, wid. 

len, w. of John Van of John Voorhees 

Nostrand Idah Garrison 

Elizabeth, w. of Martin Catharine Garrison 

Cozine c 



April 30, 1802. 
William Nevius Elizabeth Voorhees 

Luke Knight Hannah Hoagland, w. 

Catharine, w. of Jno, of Joakim Van Ars- 

Van Arsdalen dalen 

Abraham Van Arsdaltn 

October 16, 1802. 
Daniel Pierson 
Elizal)eth Covenhoven, 
w. of George Rapple- 
yea 

April 29, 1803. 

Mary McNeil, wid. of Creshe Van Derripe, w. 

John Bennet ' of John Van Nuise 

October 15, 1803. 
Jerome Rappleyea, Jr. Cornelius Dehart 
Elise Underdunck, w. 
of John Stotoff 

May 19, 1804. 

AVilliam Dehart Elizabeth Jaquish, w. 

Sarah Voorhees, w. of of Nich, Van Brunt 
John Perine Johannah Striker, w. d 

Anna Reynolds, w. of Martinus Stepliison 
Christian Van Nort- Sarah Smock, w. of 
wick c Abram Voorhees 

October 20, 1804. 
Idah Omerman, w. of Jane Covenhoven, w. 

Cornelius Dehart of Garet Nevius 

Nancy Sorvice, w. of Catharine Silcocks, w. 

Isaac Hulick of Aaron Ross c 

May 5, 1S05. 
Peier Wortman c 

October 27, 1805. 
Anne Houten, w. of Agnes Ackerman, w. of 
__ Jlendrick Van Dyke Daniel Pierson 
Joseph and Phebe, 
servants of Henry 
Vacte c 

May 10, 180G. 
Richard Lnpardus David Fine c f" 

John D. Striker c Ann Cortelyou c J 

May 3, 1807. 
Henry Van Arsdalen Dennis Van Liew 
Willaril Preston Hannah, servant Of 

Lidia Carle C Staats Van Deursen 

OCTOBKR 3, 1807. 
Mai-garet Schureman 
Elenor Rue, w. of John 
Gordon c 

May 14, 1808. 
William French I George Lott 
Catharine StothofT j Jane Voorhees, w. of 
Martha Vacte, wid. of Richard Manley 
Jacobus Garretson 

October 29, 1808. 
Cornelius Bordine Garret A'an Arsdalen | 

Abigal Denton, w. of Alche Dehart f 

Obadiah Buckelew William Hagaman C 
Robert AVatts C I 
Ann Bell C ) 

May 6, 1809. 
Nicolas Borum \ Elizabeth Montania 

Mercy Rolf ) wid. of Ambrose Ap- 

John II. Caile pleby 

Patience Williamson, Sai-ah, serv't of Samuel 
w. of Joshua Martin Dunham 



APPENDIX. 



21:3 



October 14, ISOO. 
Harriet Suydam, w. of Mary Schuyler, wid. of 

Micliael Garrish m Matthew Uue 

Anna Voorhees, w, of Anna Rreese, w. of 

Minard Wilson Guisbert Deliart 

February 5, ISIO. 
Henry Johnson 

May 12, 1810. 

Elizabeth Bemott, w. Sarah Carle, w. of Wm. 

of Philip Okey Van Dore a Tum son c 

Mary Rfe<I, vrid. of 

John Allen c 

October 20, ISIO. 
Jacob J. Bergen \ Cornelius Yermule 

Syche Itergen ( Klenor Van Doren 

Kliza Van llarlingen, Helich.v Van Arsdalen, 

w. of Uriah Lott w. of John Nevius 

Mary Thompson, w. of Jacob E. Tunison a 

I'eter Bennett ,»- — 

Mat 1, 1811. 
RoBKRT Broscc Peter Gordon ) 

Helena Van Liew, w. of Caroline Van Liew \ m 

Garret Van Liew Mahala Everett 

Mary Kenon, w.of John Harriet Van Arsdalen, 

Williamson widow of Rynear 

Elizabeth Ilulick.wid. c Smock c 
Gertrude, wid. of Mar- Tone, freedman of Ry- 

tin Nevius c near Smock c 

May 16, 1812. 

Thomas Letson Lewis Carman 

Garrett Parsells George G. Nevius 

Zilpafi Allen, w. of Hen- Elizabeth Mauley, w. 

ry Van Arsdalen of Daniel Ellison 

Richard Sluyter c Harry, aperson of colore 

November 21, 1812. 
Nicholas Booraera m Abraham Blauvelt 
Nicholas J. Marselu.s Frederick Ver Mullen 
Abm. I). WiLLON James Ogilvle 

Ann Dunn, w. of Hen- 
ry Van Nortwlck 



May 14, 1813. 



Abigal Perrine 
Ann Schuieman 



Abm. Brower, 51. D. c ) 

Elizabeth Stouten- \ 

burgh c ) 



October 2, 1813. 

Peter Buckelew Mary Outcalt 

Catharine Voorhees, w. 
of Lewis Carman m 

April 30, 1814. 

Richard Manley Elizabeth Van Liew, w. 

Susan Sllcocks, w. of of Joseph Van Doren 

Richard Milnes Joseph, serv't of Thos. 

Patience U.vall, wid. of Letson 

Wm. Churchward Susan, w, of Rev. Jesse 
Henry Hoagland c \ Fonda c 
Gertrude Van Liewc ) Margaret Johnson c 
John Voorhees 

November 9, 1814. 

.Licob R. Hardenburgh Ellen Voorhees 
Ellen Perrine, w. of P .ter Van Liew C 

Guisbert Deliart Syche Van Liew c 

John Van Liew c I Jane Pmbasco, w. of 

Magdalena VVyckoETc f Frazee C 

John Sivartwout c 
Hannah Solomon, w. of 

Wm. Sclianck 



November 11, 1S14. 

Ellen Emley, w. of Jo- Betty, a woman of color 
seph Silcocks Joii.N Lrm.ow c. 

Mary Ann Clarkson,w. Sarah Van Derhoven, 
of Geo. G. Nevius c w. of William Post 



April 2G, 1813. 



John A. Burtis 
Dowe D. Williamson ) 
Mary Ann Abeel f 

Jane Ilassart, w. of Da- 
vid Abeel 
Syche Boice, w. of Jon- 
athan Rue 
r,lizal>eth Meserole, w. 

of Elijah Hunt 
Rebecca Jenkins, w. of 

Wm. Low 
Elizabeth Van Horn, w. 

of Wm. Williamscn 
Sarah Allen 
Amos Cornell c I 
Mary Totten c f 
Mary Voorhees, w. of 

William Phillips c 
William Schanck 
Henry H. Schenek, 

M.D. c 
Ellen Hardenburgh c 



Helen A'oorheea, w. of 
Nicholas Wyckoff 

Ellen Huyler, w. of Hen- 
ry V. Low 

Mary Lawrence, w. of 
Nathaniel McChesney 

Mary Buckelew, w. of 
Peter Buckelew 

Sarah Manley, w. of 
Henry Ha^'aman m 

Maria Silcocks, w. of 
Christian Van Doren 

Margaret and Haniiaii, 
persons of color 

AvA Nkal c 

Sarah Van Doren c 

Elizabeth Carsnn, w. of 
James Deiitun 

Susan Evertson 

Alida Gaasbergh c 



Mays, 1S16. 



Peter Skinkle 

Deborah Voorhees, wid. 
of Garret Van Der- 
veer 

Catharine Striker, w. of 
Andrew Craig 

Sarah, Mark, Dinah, 
Phebe and Caty, per- 
sons of color 

CoiiNKMUS BOGARDUSC 

John D. Sutphin c I 
Alletta Van Doren c ( 



Frederick Van Liew \ 
Maria Voorhees f 

Ann Suydam, w. of 

Stephen Mundy 
[da Van Liew 
Sarah Thompson, w. of 

Wm. Hall m c 
Elizabeth Thompson, w. 

of Abm. Pittenger c 
Mindart Wilson c \^ 
Ann Voorhees c ) 



October 25, 181C. 

Cornelius WyckolT ) Gitty Ellison, w. of Jon- 

Klizabeth Van Nest f athan Dunn m 

Mary Dumont, w. of Elizabeth Van Deventer, 

Samuel King w. of Jacnli WyckolT //t 

Hannah Dunham Sarah Van Doren 

Elenor Van Liew Rachel Baldwin, a per- 

Margaret Bergen, w. of son of color 

Nathaniel Compton c Mary Brown, w.of Benj. 
Elizabeth Arrowsmith, Taylor 

wid. of John Kells 



April 25, 1817. 



James Schureman 
William Benton 
Jacob D. Fonda 
Lydia Cheeseman, w. 

of Jas. Ackerman 
Ann Britton, w. of John 

Thorp 
Eleanor Hendrickson. 

w. of Wm. Van Deur- 

sen 
Ralph Van Nostrand 
Julia Ann, w. of Caleb 

PecUham 
Ann Stanley 
Ellen Nevius 
I Rebecca Appleby 



John Brown 

John Van Liew 

Ida Van Arsdalen. w of 
Henry P. Van Arsd.v 
len 

Eve Voorhees, w. of Hen- 
ry H. Schenek m 

Lyiiia Freeman, w. of 
David Schureman 

Marjtaret Harris, w. of 
Abm. 0. Voorhees 

John C. Van Dekvoortc 

Maria V.in Liew 

Mary Oake.v 

Sirah Ann Potts 

Martha Jeukius, colored 



2U 



APPENDIX. 



April 15, 1818. 
Aflricn Manley I Letitia Schenck, wid. of 

Cith'rine Coverhoven ) Israel Harris 
John Ditmars Charity Manley, wid. of 

Blary Motreland, wid. of John Reed 

Jolin Silcox Mary Vronm. w. of Ja- 

Catharine Schureman cob D. Wyckoff 
Catliarine Van Liew Arietta Van Arsdalen 
Caroline M. Ilankinson Sarah Sutphin 
G-ABRiKi. Ludlow c Hannah, Dinah and Di- 

Eieanor Schureman, w. nah, Persons of color 

of C. Johnston Jared Dewing c 

Abraham P. Voorhees 

November 7, 1818. 



Jane Voorhees, w. of 
John H. Speer 

IIann;ih Lyle, w. of Ja- 
cob Richmond 

Nancy Hart, w. of Cor- 
nelius Bergen 

Catharine Voorhees 

Susan, w. of Caesar Rap- 
pleyea, colored 

Catalina V. S. Kyley, w. 
of Rev. John Ludlow c 



Abraham Van Tine 
Richard Van Arsdalen 
Joanna Schuyler, w . of 

Staats Van Deursen 
Ann Desrraw, w. of 

Amos Flagg ?M 
Tilary Griggs, w. of 

Abm. Lott 
Elizabeth Compton 
Sarah Probasco 
John Rawls c 
Jamks li. Ten Eyck 
Mary Van Brunt, w. of 

Peter Garritson 

April 28, 1819. 
Henry II. Schenck Robert Lyle 

Mary Sutphin, w. of Rebecca Kemer, w. of 

Henry Taylor Henry Oram 

Mary D. Combs, w. of Mary Marsli, w. of Dan- 
William Oram iel Van Arsdalen 
Sarah Taylor, w. of Jas. Ida Van Liew, w. of [len- 

Underdunck ry Demot 

Eleanor Ten Eyck Eve AVedsell 

Betty and Caty Smock, Ann Hopper, w. of John 

persons of color Van Nortwick c 

Elizabetli Moncoucha, 

w. of Miles Smith c 

October 29, 1819. 
George Rappleyea Richard Wynkoop 

Cataline Voorhees Ann Hulick, w. of Angle- 

Hannah and Julia, per- burt Hartough 

sons of color Isaac M. Fisher c 

Seymour 1. Funck c Herman B. Strvker c 
Joseph Wilson c Charles Whiteuead c 

Mat 13, 1820. 
Mary Hill.yerj wid. of John Van Nortwick 

Martin Nevuis 

November 25, 1820. 
Eve Finley, w. of John Mary Conover, w. of Jo- 
Van Horn sepli Van Doren c 
Abraham Fort c Ferdinand Van Der- 
Dow Van Olinda c veer c 
Samuel Van Vecuten c William Ferry c 

May 26, 1821. 
John Stothoff ) Robi:rt J. Blair 

IdaGarretson j Maurice W. Dwight e 

Robert Clark and Jane, Catharine Burchan, w. 

his wife c of Rev. Isaac Ferris c 

ElizMbeth Vechte, w. of 

John Williamson 

November 10, 1821. 
Phelje Bennett David Abeel, Jr 

Jacob Wyckoff Sarah Conover 

Nancy Seguine, wid. of Dorotliy Van Liew, w. of 

Cornelius Wyckoff tn U. Traphagen 
Susan Rowland Abraham Messlrr c 

Jefferson AVtnkoop GustaVcT^eel c 
William Ckuikshank c Wm. S. Dillingham c 
Gertrude Harris c 
Catharine L. Harden- 

burgh m 



April 27, 1829. 
Letitia Brunson, w.of Harry Quick, person of 

John S. Lerson c(jlor 7« 

Sarah Mount, w. of Gar- Catharine Moor, w. of 
ret D. Stryker John Fine 

Maria Jenkins 

October 20, 1822. 



of 



Abraham J. Voorhees ) 
Letitia llappleyea ) 
Susan Bennett 
Elizabeth Bennett 
Maria Bergen, w. 

Matthew Egerton 
Ann Hassart m 
Catharine Stoothoff 
Mary Van Derveer 
Mary Taylor, w. of Geo. 

A. Jenkins 
George Boice 
Gertrude Gordon, wid. 

of John Co.\ G 



Samuel Center 
John G. Tarbell 
Isaac Langstaff 
Ann Vian Nuis, w. of 

Peter Wyckoff 
Maria Bordine, w. of 

Archibald Thompson 
Maria Ann Denton 
Catharine Sranluy 
Eliza Hutchings 
Rachel Voorhees 
Ann Oakey 
Sarah Van Liew 
David Nevius, Jr 
Isaac Fisher c ) 
Maria c ( 

Elizabeth Booraem, 

wid. of Abrain Van 

Nostrand 7« 

April 2G, 1S23. 

Ephraim Marcelius David Nevius, Jr. 
David Nevius | Joseph Brewer 

Jane Van Derveer J Garret Nevius 
Ann Martin Isaac S. Brovver j 

Margaret Thompson, Ann Bennett ) 
w. of William W. Van Mary, wid. of James 

Duyn Wilson 

Sarah Nevius, w. of Catharine Lyle 

Isaac Voorhees Henry V. De Mott 

Catharine French Besj, Van Keurkn c 

October 19, 1823. 

Ira Condict Eoicb Caroline Ilapart 

Maria Van Liew 7n Mary Schanck, w. of 

Catharine Outcalt, w. Henry Solomon 

ot John Voorhees Peter K. Voorhees ) 

Wm. W. Van Duyn Sarah Garretson ) 
Lanah Voorhees, w. of Caty, person of color 

Dennis Van Derbilt Hannah Van Arsdalen c 
Elbert Slingerland c 
Hannah, Eve and Sa- 
rah, colored c 

January 4, 1824. 

Cornelius C. Van Ars- John A. A'oorhees 
dalen Lanah Voorhees 

Susan Boice 

Margaret Cook, w. of 
Abm. V. Schenck 

April 3, 1S24. 

Mary Stanburry, w. of Elizabeth, w. of William 

John Hutchings Mann c 

Flora, a person of color Charlotte, daughter of 
Mrs.Cath'rine Herder c William Mann c 
Joanna B. Abeel C Maria Conover, w. of 

Joanna Hardenberg Jos. Van Doren c 

July 3, 1824. 

Elizabeth Nevius Peter Voorhees c 

Mary Packer c 7n Cornelius Messier C I 

James Stevenson e Jemima Ten Eyck c ) 

September 28, 1S24. 

Lanah Van Arsdale, w. Henry V. L. Dehart 

of J. Stillwell JIaria Reisner 

Flora, a person of color Sarah Minor, w. of Jo- 
Christ's Z. Paulisos c seph Hall c 



APPENDIX. 



215 



JiTLY 2, 1S25. 
ITarriet Van Yninken, Stephen Rider 

w. of Uev. John S. Cliiirlotte Andre, wid. of 

Mabon Wni. Suydain 

Catharine S. Conover Ellen Thompson c 
Frances I{. Cook, w. of Miriam, person of col. c 

Uev. Jas. B. Harden- 

bergli c 

October 9, 1S23. 
Catharine R. Tice Ann M. Bridpen, w. of 

Matilda Voorhees Rev. John De Witt, 

Dominions J. S-'tryker c I).D. C 
Henrietta A.Vethake ni 
Jane Metlar, \v. of Jas. 

A. Van Deventer -wi 

January 16, 1S26. 
I'nwell Dehnrt Mrs. Davis c 

Klizaheth Kisher ^ViHiam Mann 

Klizalietli Itmu-e, w. of Susan Ann Taylor 

Stephen i^tront; Charity Martin, w. of 

Ann Fisher, \v. of Law- David Lisk 

rence Fishery. Mercy Dunn, \v. of Fred. 

Elizabeth Stephens, II. Outcale 

wid. of Jacob E. Tu' Henry IIkrmancec 

nison William Sunderland c | 

Bkxj. B. Wkstfai.l c Leah Powelson c ) 

Cornelia, w. of Rev. Dr. 

■\Voodliull c 
Margaret Steele, w. of 

Itev. Philip Milldollar, 

D.D. c 

April 16, 1S26. 
Abm. V. Thompson Mary Piersnn, wid. of 

Nelly, wid. of Jerome Ephm. P. Dunn 

Van Derliilt Lettitia Rowhmd, wid. 

Elizabeth Stanley, w. of John Whitlock 

of Peter Obert Providence Runyon, w. 

Thomas, svt. of Henry of George Boice 

Veghte Jacob Davies c I 

Maria Broach, w. of Mary Holford c f 

Samuel Thomas c John J. Powelson c I 
Ai.exandkr M. Mann c Maria Dehart c j 
Isaac G. Sillcocks c I Abraham Suydam c 
Nancy Sebring c f Hager Calder, person 
Henry Vrooni c of color c 

July 29. 1S26. 
Catharine Van Nord- Dinah, svt. of Henry 

strand, w, of A. V. Veghte 

Thompson m Jamk.s Dkmarest c I 

Catharine, w. of Jasper Mary Schoonmaker c ) 

Provost Elizabeth French, wid. 

James J. Garretsen c \ of J. Van Vleet c 
Elsie Wortman c ( 

October 21, lS2fi. 
Ann Blakene.v Helen Suydam. w. of 

Christina Lyle, w. of Aaron iiennet 

John Van Nuis »?» Sarah Mundy, w. of 
Julia Norman, w. of Ralph Voorhees m 

Wm. V. Hardenbrook Mary Ann C. AVllson, 
Jane Bergen, w. of w. of Rich. Duryee, 

Wm. Wilson c Jr 

Harry, a man of co- Maria Arro\v?mith,wid. 

lor of John Chivis c 

January 20, 1S27. 
Uicharil Duryee, Jr Richard Van Brunt 
I'eter Serviss Frederick B. Tho-mpson 

Julia Ann Low Jane Garretson 

Esttier Ten Brook Margaret Baird, w. of 

Sarah Ann Elberson, w. Jeremiali Van Lieiv 

of John I'rall Jane Ten Brook, w. of 

Mary H. Warren, w. of Isaac Voorhees m 

Cornelius L. Harden- Phebe Lewis, w. of 

burgh c Griffeth Harriott c 

Peter Buckelew c \ ADfee Harriott, woman 

^lary Buckelew c f of color c 

Surah Van Derveer, w. Harry, person of color 

of Elias Conover c Gaiuiet C. Schanck c 



April 14, ISCT. 
J"hn M. Hagaman wi. Maria Harriet Stanley 
Eliza Thomjison in Abigal Van Di-venter m 

Mary Ackerman M;iria Van Harlingen, 

Susan Maria Griffeth, wid. of Abm. Dilmars 

w. of Thos. B. Bell Margeret Henderson. 
Catharine Van Dine, w. of Cornelius De- 

wid of John Ranken hart, 
Louisa Gregory, w. of Sarah Willett, w. of 

Rev. J. G. Tarbell Nicholas Hooraem 

Dinah Voorhees, m, Jane Van Doreo, »t 
William Wilson c Cornelius Van Doren, 

Mary Ann, w. of Rev. Sen. c 

John Mulligan c Cornelius Van Doren, ) 

Sarah Britton c Jr c '■ 

Martina Talmage C Mary Brokaw c ) 

Ann Vredenburgh c Maria C.Vredenburgh f 
lliilph Voorhees Harriet Vredenburgh <; 

July 14, 1S27. 
Martha Hall, w. of Maria Messier, w.^ of 

Isaac Silcocks Peter Blew 

Frances Green, w. of 

Thos. H. Dunn 

October 14, 1S27. 
Garret Van Riper Gilbert D.Van .\r*dalen 

Margaret Jloore, wid. Ellen Davis, w. of Mah- 

of Abm. Hutchings Ion Carel 
Magdalena Bell c Lena Van Duyne C 

January 19, ls28. 
John Manley Mary Ann Manley, w. 

Catharine Van Zandt, of Zibulon Mount 

w. of Clark Smith Caty Baldn in, colored 
Mrs. Mary Smith c person 

Ann Van Neste, w. of William II. Cooper c 

James Harriott c 

April 12, 1S23. 
Isabella Hull, w. of Ann Bennett, w. of Wm. 

Henry Sillcocks m W. Schureinan m 

Abigal Sturges, w. of Phebe Hnssart, wid. of 

Cornflius Dehart m Dr. Montgomery 
Letitia Hassart Catharine Wyckoff 

Magdalen Terhune,wid. Mrs. Ann Caldwell c 
of George Talmage c Harriet Caldwell c 
Ann Maria Caldwell c Elizabeth, col. c 
Mary Riley, col. c 

July T, 182S. 
Mary Loyd, wid. of Jno. Alletta WyckolT, w. of 

Hrndricksou Jereniiih Vourhees 

Jacob Ennis c Betty Polhemus, col. c 

October 18, 182S. 
RicmuD L. SciiooNMA- Henry Wyckoff 

KER John V. liobbins 

John Forsyth Elizabeth G. Bell 

Thomas Vail Mrs. .Mary Hampton c 

Stephen Ryder o Sarah Schenck, w. of 

Elizabeth English, w. Joseph Van Doren o 

of Abm. Suydam o Frank, man of color c 

January 16, 1S29. 

Jacob Van Arsdalen Francis Hampton 

Ann Coddington, w. of Jemima Barkelew, w. 
Geo. Boic", Jr. m of John King c 

Henry H. Dehart c I 

Amelia Lott c f 

April 6, 1S29. 

Hannah Blanchard, w. Charlotte Dehart, co- 
ot Abm. H. Meyers loreB person 
July 6, 1829. 

James C. Zabriskie Mary Hagaman c 

Mrs. Theodosia Sut- Ralph Van Norstrand 
phin c c m 

Abraham Bennett c ) B ireiit Voorhees c • 

Catharine c ) Mary Johnson, colored 

John Cannon Van Likw person c 



216 



APPENDIX. 



October 12, 1S29. 
Abraham V. Schenck Henry Schenck 
Cynthia Stanley, w. of Abhaham II. Meyers c 

Peter Packer Rachel Mundy, \v. of 

Adrianna Vethake c Daniel C. Grue 

Ann Dumont, w. of Cor- Catharine S. Denice, w. 

nelius Emmons of Lewis Conover 

January 12, 1S80. 
ijetsey and Julia, co- Alletta Beekman c 
lored persons Mrs. Amy Scott c 

May 80, 1830. 



Mrs. Ruth Van Tine 
Matilda Manley m 
Samuel Crane c ) 

Frances Itichardson C j 
Sarah Conover c 
Susan Fislier, w. of Pe- 
ter P. Van Dorea 



Martha G., w. of Rev. 
J. J. Janeway, D.D. c 
William Sunderland c ) 
Leah Powelson c ) 

Joseph Quick and Nel- 
lie, persons of color c 



September, 1830. 
Peter Davis Oakey Lrosard Rodgers C \ 
Oscar H. Gregory c Eliza Fletcher c ) 
Johannah Freeman, 
person of color 

December, 1830. 

Rachel Wooden, w. of Sarah Farmer, w. of Pe- 

Thomas Vail ter O. Buckelew 

Susan Clnyd, w. of Julia Henry, w. of John 

James Fisher G. Fisher 

Guisbert Deliart Joseph IJreese 

John H. Bkvier c Elihu Doty c 
Catharine, wid. of Hen- Peter J. Quick c 

ry Plum c m Benjamin Bassler c 

February, 1831. 

Elizabeth Dehart, w. of Eliza Maria Hall, wid. 

Abram Van Arsdalen of Chas. A. Stewart 
Sarah Estler, \v. of John 

V. N. Waycoff 

September 10, 1831. 

Gertrude Abeel Sarah, wid. of Peter R. 

Mary Adeline Van Wag- Voorhees 

ner. w. of Rev. John Jacob A. Van Deventer 
C. Van Liew Jolin W. Branson ( 

ohn Thompson Sarah Van Tine j 

December 24, 1831. 

Catharine Parker, w., of Cornelius Loyd 
Abm. P. Provost John C. Baldwin c 

Alexander II. War- 
mer c 

March 9, 1832. 



Peter H. Blew 
John H. Stothoff 
John Duty | 

Rebecca Wyckoff j 
Eliza Williamson 
Harriet Plum 
Margaret Post m 
Eleanor V. Manley 
Margaret H. Buckalew 
Helen Maria Wyckoff 
Robert O. Curri|; c 
Win. J. Van Arsdalen 



Garret V. Manley 

Sarah Ann Wyckoff, w. 
of David S. Garrigues 

Deborah Van Derveer, 
w. of David Codding- 
ton m — 

Catharine Thompson m 

Delilah Dunn 

Mai'paret G. Harriott 

Sarah E. Manley 

Eleanor WyckofT 

Abigal Van Derveer 



Junk 16, 1832. 

Ann Graham c Mary Snowdan, w. of 

K*becca Parker c Rev. S. B. How, D.D. 

William W. Perrine c \ c ^ 

Sarah Voorhees c i 



September 8, 1832. 



John Degraw 
Cornelius L. Ilarden- 

bergh 
Jacob Dehart ■>n 
Nathan F. Denton 
Mary Cheesnian, wid. 

of Rich. White 
Elizabeth Degraw 
Jane Cox, wid. of Peter 

Suydam 
Lewis D. Harden- | 

bergh c > 

Ellen Voorhees c \ 



Peter V. Degraw I 

Elizabeth J. Conover ) 
AVilliam E. Conover 
Henry Van Liew m 
Ann Eliza White m 
Jane Fletcher 
Mary Voorhees, wid. of 

Garret Thompson 
Dominicus J. Stryker C 
Charles E. Ford c 



December 8, 1832. 

David Voorheei, Jr (Abraham Bergen 
Ann Eliza Clarkson m j Nicholas E. Baynon 
George Boice Emma L. Hapart 

Jane Van Sickell, w. of Julia A. JIcKnight, w. 

Wm. Goodhart of Rev. A. H. Du- 

J. T. B. Skillman,M.D. 1 mont c 

C V Alexander Gulick C 

Rachael Ayres c m ) William J. Pohlman C 
Jane Tisen, wid. of Susannah Staats c 

Abm. Staats c 



March 9, 1833. 



John Moule 

Fanny Jane A'an Liew 

Mrs. Elizabeth Degraw 

c 
Lewis H. Terrill c 

150BERT A. QUIN C 

Slercy Ann Manning 
Anthony Voorhees, per- 
son of color 
James Garretson cm} 
Catharine Wortman c ) 



of 



Eliza Fletcher, 

Rodgers 

Eliza Gulick 
James H. Newell c \_ 
Eliza D. Ilankinson c ) 
William Reilley c 
Caroline Green, wid. of 

Samuel Degraw 
John F. Mksicic c 
Harrison IIeeu.aunce c 



September 7, 1833. 

Elizabeth Harriott m John A. Voorhees c } 
Joseph B. Beekman c I Catharine Outcalt c f 
Sarah Burniston c ) Maria Buckelew c 
John P. Van Arsdalen c Amanda Buckelew c 
Maria Dumont, w. of Jane Van Doren c 

Win. Elmendorf c 
Eliza Webb, w. of John 

D. Hager 

December 7, 1833. 

Samuel 0. Crane Hart E. AVaring c 

Ferdnand Y. Cortel- ) Sarah Williamson, w. 

you c y of John Creed 

Margaret G.Harriott c ) Mrs. Catharine A'an 
Margaret Smith Ewing, Middlesworth 

wid. of Dr. Morris c Hanna^i M.' ftlorris C 
Ann H. Ayres, w. of John Whitbkcic c 

Henry Van Liew c m 

March S, 183 J. 

Henry Solomon Arrietta Hoagland c 

Maria Voorhees m John Pearman I 

Mary Ann Richmond, Ida Van Arsdalen ) 
wid. of Dr. J. Boyd M.ria Ten Eyck wi . 

June 7, 1834 

Ida Van Liew, w. of Rosannah Rappleyea, 
Abraham J. Voorhees person of color 

Elizabeth Ann A'oor- Mrs. Nancy Davis C 
hees, w. of Jacob Hannah Davis c 
Outcalt ?» Dinah Perrine, colored 

Henry Hoagland c I person c 

Gertrude Van Lieu c j 

Jane Jackson 



APPENDIX. 



217 



September 20, 1834. 
Kliza Lawrence, w. of Sarah Dehart, w. of 

James Van Nuise m Mattliew ¥,. iiergen 
PLebe Musherole, wid. Sarah Hoagland 

of Fred. IJuckelew Archibald M. Gordon m 
Abraham J. A'oorhees John Voorhees, person 

m of color 

William McDonald 

December 13, 1834. 
Kliza Williams, w. of Juliet Smith, w. of 

(iarret Nafey m Lewis Carman, Jr 

Alice Conover, wid. of Jane Kelley, wid. of 

llichd. Rapplejca Henry lloagland 'in 

Nancy Dunham Mrs. Maria llnaglancl 

John W. Cortelyou c \ Ida Reasley c 
Mary And Beasley c \ Elmira Howard c 
Anna L. Stewart, w. of John Lillis c 

John H. Stothoff Eve, a person of color 
Klizabeth Gordon c m 

M.4.RCH 7, 1835. 
Jacob H. Outcalt m ) Mary Ann Rappleyea, 
I'ruderice Kunyon ( w. of Nich. liefferts 

Syclie Boice, w. of Thos. John Pray Knox c 
Clark cp 

June 20, 1S35. 
Catharine A. Schenck Mary J ane Tuni son. w. 
Mary Voorhees, w. of of JacBb lienart m 
Peter Stevenson Abraham Voorhees c 

Mrs. Mary Uifthtmire c Wm. Green c J) 
Sarah B. Egerton ni 

September 5, 1835. 
Simon H. Bergen ni John W. Berp;en 



Matthew IC. Bergen 
Kliza Degraw 
Jane Bordine 



Kliza Conover, w. of 

Joseph Rappleyea 
Hannah Ten Kvck m 



Jane White, w. of John Garret A'an Liew 
Jackson, persons of Elizabeth Van Liew 
color m- Aaron Van Pelt 

Sarah Stelle, person of 
color 

December 5, 1835. 
Catherine Cortel.vou, w. Ellen Voorliees, wid. of 

of Henry Sillcocks Eleazer Losey 

Lj'dia Buckelew, w. of Rachael Van Zandt, w, 

Cornelius Van Sick- of Jonathan Provost 

ell r,i William IL Smith c 

Jane Van Arsdale c Gertrude Jane Voor- 
Joanna A'oorhees, w. of hees c m 

A'oorhees Cortrlyou c Is vac P. Stryker c 
CotiNELiusS. A'anSant- Elizabeth Van Dyke, 

VDOKD c wid. of Isaac Ter- 

JoUn J. A'an Antwerp c hune c 

Marcu 5, 1S36. 

Lucas H. Hoajrland 7n Lydia Mount, wid. of 
Eliza Shaddle, w. of John Buckalew 

Johnson Letson rii Frances Tilton 
Susan Voorhees, person Matthew lirnwn c ) 

of color m Garretta Quick c ) 



1'IIIU.IP 

Bkett 



MiLLDOLLAR 



June 18, 1836. 



James C. A'an Dei'bilt tn James Ejcerton m ) 
Eliza Wendover, w. of Phebe Conover m ) 

Evert Ejrerton Margaret Van Nor- 

Helena Hutchinson, w. strand c 

of Cornelius Provost Abraham Bergen C 
Cornelius A'an Neste c 1 Cornelia Bnice 
Susannah L. Van Der- V Catharine Hamilton 

veer c m ) 

Ellen Voorhees, wid. of 

Isaac Miller c 



September 3, 183C. 
John M. Hoagland Slartha Garretson 

Jeremiah AVhitenack c I Henrietta A'an Dervecr 
Alletta c ) 

December 4, 1836. 
John A. Manley m Elizabeth A'^rodenburgh 
Ellen Cox, w. of Ste- Ann Makel, w. of John 

7)hen A'oorhees Connelly m 

John Johnson c Rosauna Voorhees e 

March 4, 1&3T. 
Jane Voorhees, wid. of Eliza Provost C 
Jolin U. Speer 

June 8, 1SS7. 



James Fisher 
Richard Outcalt «l 
Ralph N. I'erlee 
Jonathan B. Stewart 
AA'illiam Blakeney ( 
Ida Ann Dehart f 
George Eldridge ?)l 
Peter A'room 
John F. Cornell 
Maria Fulkerson, vr. of 



Henry V. Dehart 
Isaiah Rolfe | 
Cliarlotte Mead ( 
James A. H. Cornell 
Mamtn L. Schknck 
Mary Augusta Harris 
Eliza Afipleby, w. of 

AVm. Rhodes 
Abigal A'oorliee!!, w. of 

Nich. B. Dehart 



Edwd. Cunningham Sophia Fish. 
Catharine Perry, w. of Catharine Flagg 

Dr. John Cool Eliza Haviland, w. of 

Mary A'oorhees Losey Barent A'oorhees m 
Adeline Fisher Catharine A'oorhees, w. 

Margaret \. D. Haga- of Anthony Farmer, 

man m 

Lucretia Ann A'an Nuis Esther Baldwin, w. of 
Mary Ann A'an Nuis Harry Freeman 

Chas. S. Hagaman Isabella Stelle 



AViluam S. Moore c { 
Mary Ann c j 

Christopher Giffing c I 
Catharine C ) 

Frederick Outcalt 
AVilliam G. Dehart m 1 
Maria Schenck m J 
Ezekial Miller 



Lemmetie Lott, wid. of 
John Remsen c 

Catharine Thompson c 
m 

Thomas, Dinah Cono- 
ver, m, and Dlow, 
persons of color 



September 1, l?o7. 



Adriana Nevius, w. of 

Lewis F. Runyon m 
Ann Lappleyea, w. of 

Nich. R. Cowenhoven 
Catharine E. Oakey 
Sarah Mann 
Margaret McNair, w. cf 

Henry A'. Dehart 
Catharine Meseroll 
Louisa Booraem 
Catharine O. Nevius 
Anna Maria Garretson 
Adeline Bergen, w. of 

Nicholas Hoagland 

in 
Emmeline Booraem 
Kveline Oakey 
Johnson Let.son m 
Paul D. A'an Clekf 
Peter P. AVyckoff ?« | 
Jane Howell f 

James Wyckolf | 
Sarah Outcalt ( 
Elizabeth Parsells 
Mary Aim Henrd 
Sarah Ann Dehart 
Ida Voorhees 
Elizabeth Boice 
Lewis Api)legate m 
Theodore Dehart ;/i 
Luke Hassert 
Abraham Oakey 7/1 
John L. Janeway 
Abigal Slover c o 



Joanna A'an Derbilt trt 
Joanna A'an Deusen ■/«. 
Getty Ann A'oorhees m 
Alletta Dehart m 
Jane .Mletta Degraw 
Catherine Degraw 
Amelia Miller 
Eliza Jane Garret 
Eliza liiiee, w. of Isaac 

B. Van Dyke 
Abigal A'oorhees m 
James A'an Xuise, Jr 
Robert A'an Nuis m 
Richard A. A'aQ Arsda- 

len m 
John A. Staats 
Abraham Powelson 
AVilliam R. Janeway 
Elizabeth A'an Nor- 

strand »? 
Catharine A'leet, w. of 

Peter 15. Me.*erole 
Tlieodosia .\tkinson, w. 

of John Nafe.v m 
Margeret Buckelew, w. 

of John Connet m 
JIary Ann GilBng 
John S. Letson m 
Jesse F. Hagaman m 
Henry A'an Arsdalen, 

Jr 
William Mc.'scroll 
Louisa Runyon, w. of 

Nelson Boice 



21S 



APPEXDIX. 



Eliza Freeman cp Alice Thompson cp 

Mary Eliza Reasonercp Flora Lupardus C p m 
Betsey Bergen c p Jane Ditinars c p 

■\VilIiam Hart.ou|ili c Henry Freeman cp 
John IIenky Ackersonc Anthony Farmer c p m 
Hester ]iailey, wici. of Peter P. Staats c I 1 

Isaac Vredenburgh Catharine Voorhees C j 

September 25, 1837. 
David D. Demerest William II. Steele 
December 3, 1S3T. 



Kobert Mann 
Eliza Van Deursen m 
Isabella Mann 
John Outcalt 
Harriet McClelland 
Ann McClelland 
Harriet V. Natey 
Ann Eliza lledden 
Cheesman Ackennan 
Maria Bergen c p m 
Nicholas B. Dehart 



JoiLS De AVitt 
Rebecca Hall 
Getty Hall 
Nicholas R. Cowenho- 

ven ni 
Amanda Fisher 
Francis C. Manley »«. ) 
Mary Ann Meyers in ) 
Phel5e Ann Voorhees . 
Squire Thompson cp> m, 



March 3, 1838. 
Sarah Sillcocks, w. of William L. Crawford 



CORNKLIU.S E. CkISPELL 

Joseph A. Cross 
Maria Nevius, w. of 

Ditmars Duryea 
David Neefus c ) 
Lacomia Lant c J - 



James Sutphiu 

AUetta Hall 

Nicholas Booraem, Jr 

AViLLiAM Augustus Cor- 
nell 

Abel T. Stewart 

Hannah Conover c p 

June 2, 1S3S. 
Majdaline Terhune, w. Abraham Staats Van 

of Isaac Boice m Neste 

.lane Cornell, wid. of Mary Van Sickell 

Cornelius Tenbrook Peter WyckolT c p 
Lavinia Scott, wid. of Mrs. Judith Johnson C 

Rev. Richd. V. Day Jane Dumnnt c iii 
Abraham A. Duraont c I Phebe Dumont c 
Judith Davis c (Mrs. Mary A. Van Ars- 
Hector S. Van Buren c I dale, w. of Paul Lew- 
Jane c f is m r 

September 1, 1838. 
Ann Van Sickell Sarah Cory, wid. of 

William Thompson c Enos Ayres c 

November 24, 1838. 
Betty Tunison cpc 
March 2, 1839. 
Stephen Voorhees in 
Mary Ann Kirkpafrick, 
w. of Rev. S. B. How, 
D.D. c m, 

June 1, 1S39. 
Mary Ann McNair, w. Samuel Hopper 

of John Jolinson m, Rachel Peack, w. of 
Jane Voorhees James Esler e 

Anthony Elmendorf c Mrs. Harriet Plum, w. 
Maria Walker, w. of of Edwd. Miller c in 

Cornelius Tunison in 



' August 31,18.39. 

John Johnson m Jane AUetta Degraw C 

Elizabe th Van Middles - Henry Sodon 
wortli," W. bl Leffis John Newton Schcltz 
Applegate m Eliza Degraw c 

November 30, 1839. 
Gertrude Ann Merce- Catharine A. Degraw, w. 
reau in of Joseph S. Suydam c 

February 29, 1840. 
Slary Booraem m Matilda Rappleyea m 



Junk 6, 1840. 
Peter 0. Buckelew Cornelia C. How ] 

Mary Ann Thompson cp Samuel Naylor c ] 
Ephraim E. Dk Puy c 

Skptember 5, 1840. 
AlMgal Eliza Post in Sarah Booraem 
Philip Van Arsdalen 

December, 1840. 
Ida, w. of Henry Van John Compton c ) 

Arsdalen Syche Van Liew c f 

Ann Duryea, w. of Jas. Wni. E. Turner c 

Barcalow Sarah Van Arsdalen, 

Abigal D. Wyckoff wid. of Richd. Van 

Jacob Outcalt in. Nostrand c in 

Margaret Cassiday 

March 6, 1841. 
Garret S. AVycoff m \ Huldah Matilda Car- 
EUenor Outcalt ) man in 

Lucy Miller cp Samuel W. Mills o 

Robert Clelaud 

June 5, 1841. 
Chas. R. Von Romondt Ruth Compton 
James H. Fonda Abigal Vroom, w. of 

Dianah Johnson c p Coi\ Suydam c 

September 4, 1841. 
John Pierman ) Joana Memory c p 
Ida Van Arsdalen ( Rosana Wyckoff cp 

Mrs. Zilpah Van Arsda- Mary W. Van Arsda- 
len c len c 
Catharine AVycoff c j) e 

December 4, 1841. 
Cornelius Suydam William H. Van Nort- 

William Sunderland c \ wick 
Leah Powelson c ) 

March 5, 1842. 
William Van Ilorne AVilliam D. Buckelew 
Sarah Jobs Elizabeth Gibson, w. of 

Sarah Mercereau m Thos. Hopper 

Lavinia Sutphin, wid. Rebecca Van Nortwick, 

of Garret Breese w. of .\hin. Oakey 

Johnson Owens Mrs. Nighmaster c 

May 28, 1842. 
Anna Beekman Matthew E. Bergen c 

Mary Jane Dunn m Mary Parsells 
Catliarinc Van Derbilt, Catharine Henry, w. of 
w. of John AV. Ber- Jas. Fisher, Jr 
gen Mary Morfit cp m, 

Nelly Van Liew, wid. of Mary Skillman c p C 

Jonathan Smith c A. Bruyn Hasbrouck C \ 
James M. Compton c Julia F. Ludlam c j 
Bergen H. Van Fleet c 

September 3, 1842. 

William Nelson Jine Ann Nelson m 

Mary Conover c p John Henry Stagg | 

AVilliam T. Runk c Sarah Slryker j 
Adaline S. Nelson m 

December 3, 1842. 

Abraham V. Wyckoff Authur B. Sullivan c 
Mary B. Dodd c Ann B. Hoagland c in 

March 11, 1&13. 
Paulus Ellen, wid. of Jane Eliza Sillcocks 

Dr. Launy Nancy Stevens cj> Jn 

Isaac Voorhees m Margaret Sullivan c 

Catharine Stothoff, w. 

of Posvell Dehart c 



APPENDIX. 



219 



Ji'NB 3, 1S43. 
.Tolm G. Fisher Cmnellus Van Sickle 

J.\Miis B. Wilson Edwanl M. Vooi-tiees 

Eliza Bowne, \v. of C. .lolin Van Nuis, Jr 

J. Waker m Eliza Harriot, w. of Cor- 

Mavia VooHiees, wirt. nelius Powelson m 

of Frederick Outcalt. Ulatilda Montfort 
Susan Voorliees Margaretta Van Dyke 

Jane Vnorliees Catliarine Jane IManley 

Saralx C. Ackerman Wi ^Catliarine Ann Manley 
Virginia Plum Peter V. WyckoDT c m | 

Mrs. Sarali Paynter Eliza Williamson c in ) 
Catharine Maria Payn- ; 

ter 

September 2, 1343. 
William Wahlron Benjamin V. Ackeman 

Martha Bell, \\. of .lohn m 

Van Nostrand c m 

Dkcember 2, 1S43. 
Hannah Van Sickell, Lucy Van Dyke c 7> 

«■. of Joseph Brower Catharine Maria Payn- 
Sarali Paynter e ter c 

M.\RCH 2, 1S44. 
Gertrude Solomon Louisa Johnson 

Mary Elizabeth Solo- Catharine Van .\rsdalen 
mon Marfjaret S. Elniendorf 

Peter Z. Elmendorf c \ Elizabeth ElmenUorf 
ULtria Van Vechten c ) 

Mat 31, 1844. 
Garretta Cowenhoven Catharine Ann Powel- 

VI son 

Catharine Cowenhoven Hannah C. Cnrwin, w. of 
Margaret McDougal, w. Stephen Voorheea in 

of John Powelson Sarah llaitoufrh, wid. of 
John C. Elmendoi-f John P. Hall 

Gai-eta Vroora, wid. of Mrs. Margaret Nevius c 

Peter Nevius Ellen Nevins a 

AcGCST 81, 1S44. 
Lydia Van Dyke 

November 30, 1S44. 
Sarah JIar?h cp Sophia Fisher, w. of Jo- 

Martha Beekman, w. seph A. Beaver 
of John Vail Dyke 

March 1, 1S45. 
Henry H. Booraem m I Betsey Simpson c p m 
Maria Van Liew m C 
Margaret Elizabeth 

Eichinan, w. of Peter 

A. Van Deventer m 

September 6, 1S45. 
Douglas Smith Sarah AVyckofTDay m 

Joanna Voorliees, w. of Jane Boice 

AVilliam Nelson in Grace Hudson, wid. of 
Isaac Van Arsdale c Horace Kiley 

DECE.MBKR 6, 1S45. 
Ebenezor Poor Elizabeth Cortelyou, w. 

Jane Helena Manley of John Ackerman C7« 

Joanna Dehart, w. of 
John Meserole ni 

February 20, 1S46. 
Clarissa M. Gray m Sarah Ford, w. of Staats 
Clark 
Ji-.\B 6, 1S46. 
James S. Taylor c \_ Hannah Voorhecs o 

Ellen c ) 

Ann Eliza Danberry, w 
of John Nafey c m 

September 5, 1846. 
Stephen J. Voorliees Elizabeth Harriott, w. of 
Lewis H. TerrlU c m. 



December 5, 1S46. 
James Conover Lavinia Jackson, w. of 

Josepli Zibrislde m 

March (!, 1S47. 
Ann Van Nostrand Elizabeth V. N. Van 

Martjart Fisher, w. of Derripe 
Squire Thompson Oft Afe Brown c p c 

October 2, 1S47. 
Susan Mary Provost Mary Cowenhoven 
Slaria Buckelew, w. of David Cole c" I 

Peter W. Van Liew m Abigal D. WyckoIT c \ 
Cornelia PoUiemus C Abi^al Davison, w. of 
Ellen Polhemus c Jacob Sillcocks C 

Joseph Francis c ] 
Sarah Ann c f 

December 4, 184T. 
Azariah D. Hall Henrietta Thompson 

Nancy, w. of John H. 
Hooker c 

March 3, 1S4S. 
Thomas McCarty Martha V. Wilson c 

Sarah Garretson, wid. 
of Polhemus c 

June 3, 1S4S. 

John N. Jansen Ralph G. Voorhees 

Margaret Denton Cor- Wm. H. Ten Evck C 
nell, w. of John Bor- Catharine Ten Broeck, 
dine ni, wid. of David GuUck 

Alfred W. Mayo c ) Nancy Gulick 

Matilda Errickson c ) 

September 2, 1848. 
Elilabeth Van Sickel, Hannah Hunt, w. of 
w. of Ralph Van Nos- Thomas Bergen C p 
strand 

December 2, 1S48. 
Jane Combs Ackerman Ifenry K. How C m 
Mary Smith Ackerman Emma C, w. of J. V. 
Piter Elnieniiorf c Spader c m 

Judith Johnson c Kiosen T. B. Spader CJW 

I-ouisa Jackson c Jane Metlar, wid. of 

Henry V. D. Voorhees C James Van Deventer C 
Amelia A. Letsoa 

March 3, 1849. 
Mary Ann Collins Emma Schcnck 

Catharine Brown Oak- James Waldron c p C 
ey 

Jl-ne 2, lS4n. 
Ann R. Ilolhert, w. of Pheb : Pearsall, w. of 
Ira C, Voorhees w Jarvis Wanser m 

September 1, 1849. 
Mrs. Hannah Schanckc Theresa Schanck c ?n 
December 1, 1849. 

Caroline H. Hasbrouck 
David Julian o 



Samuel R. Walker 
Jane G. Gulick 



BlARcn 2. 1850. 

Garrendeanah French, John V. A. Parsell 
w. of Peter ,S. Voor- Jlrs. Sbadrack 
bees m Ann Wyckoff, wid. of 

Henrietta Suydam, w. Abel Sammis 
of Robert Van Nuis George Neefus 
}ii John Roberts 

JiSE 1, ISoa 

Mary Ann Rappleyea, AbHy Ann Coddlngton 
wid. of Nicholas Ltf- Philip Kirheck 
ferts Abraham B. I'erleo 

Matilda Rappleyea 



220 



APPENDIX. 



August SI, 1S50. 
Martin Neviiis ??i 1 Rovine Moore Dehart 7«. 
S-.irah Ann A'an Do- V Peter Wortiiian c [ 
ren m ) Maria Cortelyou c j 

November 30, 1850. 

P.avali A'onrliees Eliza Sehenck 

Sarah Cnnnver, w. of George Ackerman 

.Tacob Van Dyke Matilda Van Liew, wid. 
WiLLlAji W. LicTSOS ofDanielDisboroushc 

!Mary S. Ilillyer c in Cath. Disborough c m 

March 1, 1S51. 

.Tolm Clark, Jr. Sylia B. Hooker, w. of 

Sarah A. Hooker Joseph A. Beavers 

Catharine V. Thomp- Mary Ann Hooker 
son c 

M.*.T 31, 1851. 

Cornelia J. StuUs Cornelius Cornell c 

Louisa Booraem, wid. Mrs. Margaret Smith c 

of Rev. Jacob Book- Abraham B. Perlee c 

staver c m Diana Voorhees cp C 

September 6, 1S51. 
Jane E. Parsell m Frederick Van Dyke 

Rosina Neefus, w. of Rensellear Bailey j_ 
Henry Lyle c Eliza AVestervelt c j 

December 6, 1851. 
David Coddington in Hannah Kershow cp 
Jehoiakim Ilartough 

March 6, 1852. 

Henry Sodon Enos A. Skillman m 

Cornelius Van Der-") Sarah Ann Morren, w. 

bilt I of James Conover m 

Kosanna__Elizabetli ( Sarah Jane Smith, w. of 

» IMlTfron m^ J George Neefus 

Abby ICliza Biickelew Catharine Egerton m 
Harriet Ann Voorhees m 

May 28, 1852. 
Abby Ann Bush, w. of Alletta Jane Flagg, wid 

Henry Smith m of Isaac V. Van Doren 

Delilah Dunn, w. of m 

John Anderson c m Myndert W. 'VViUon c I 
Cornelia I'olhemus c Elizabeth W. c ) 

September 3, 1852. 
Sophia Van Doren, wid. Mrs. Nancy Jennings C 
of Staats Van Deur- Maria Reeves, w. of T. 
sen R. Xhomjison c p 

December 3, 1852. 
Augustus Voorh-es m Charles C. Guldin c 
Sarah F. Voorhees Ann Elizabeth Letson 

Elizabeth B. Codding- Alice S. French in 

ton Mary B. Eichman m 

Ann Letson, \v. of John Fannie A. Price, w. of 

Van Deventer rn J. V. A. Parseil ni 

March 4, 1853. 
Ira C. Voorhees m Mary Ann Boyd 

Catharine L. McDo- Mary Elizabeth Hoag- 

weli, w. of Israel IL land m 

Voorhees in Catharine Mary Cast- 

Jane Ann Ackerman ner, w. of J. V. L. 

Mary Louisa Bergen m Uoagland c m 
John Bergen in 

Ju.NE 3, 1853. 
Sarah Uoagland Jane Ditmars cp c 

Maria Voorhees, w. of James Garretson, Jr. m 
Augustus Voorhees Anna E. Woriniaa 
in Susan Veghte c 



SEPTE.MBER 3, 1853. 

Margaret Miller, w. of William G. Soliultz c | 
■\Villiam Timmons c Margaret Voorhees c j" 
m 

December 3, 1853. 

Isaac Sillcocks in \ James P. Sillcocks m \ 
R'lsinaRunyonm ( Cornelia Sedam )/i f 

Ellen Sedam, w. of Jo- Sarah Augusta Van Ars- 
nalhan Connet m dale 

March 3, 1S54. 

Almira Nevius Moses A'oorhees C n C 

Alfred B. Van Dehoef 

June 2, 1854. 
Jonathan B. Connettw Jane Maria Powelson 
Lydia A. Yates llosannaRandolph cp m 

Mrs. Sarah Paynter c 

March 9, 1855. 
Robert R.^lston Proud- Alexander Proudfit 

FIT Christiana Voorhees, w. 

Sarah Maria Outcalt of John Van Norden 

Mary Ann Outcalt, w. in 

of Peter J. Gulick William Irvin c 
Peter J. Gulick c Strah Ann Nevius C 

Agnes McDowell, w. of Elizabeth Jane Nevius c 

Sam. Applegate c in 
John D. Neefus c 
Mary Ann Van Do 

ren c 

June 8, 1855. 
Jane Connett, w. of JaneSchanck. w. of Levi 
James H. Sillcocks m, K. Scheack 

August 31, 1855. 
Abraham A. Voorhees Mary Brunson 

in Sarah Lefferts, w. of 

Adaline Dehart in Henry L. Stebbins c 

November 30, 1855. 

Letitia Brunson Jane Eoice e in 

Anna Coddington, wid. 
of George Boice c in 

February 29, 1856. 
David Nevius, Sen. Emma Candice c p 

May so, 1856. 
Nathaniel II. Van Catharine Ann Berrian, 

Arsdale w. of John Conover 

Dinah Conover cp Sarah Garretson, wid. of 

Sarah Hoagland, wid. Isaac Polhemus c in 

of E. Johnson c m Magdalene Boice c 

September 5, 1856. 
Charles Dunham Tunis Q. Hall c in ) 

Deborah Ann King, w. Susan L. Sunderland v 
Abraham Blew c C m ) 

Sarah Elizabeth Sill- 
cocks 

December 5, 1856. 
Catharine Cortelyou, Ellen Polhemus, wid. 

wid. of Thomas Bell of Thomas Skillman, 
Jane Powelson, w. of M.D. c m 

Edward Christopher 

February 27, 1857. 
Eleanor Nelson in Harriet M. Messier 
Nancy Smith c p c Dinah Smith c 

June 5, 1S57. 
James II. Sillcocks in Wilhelina V. Hoagland 



APPENDIX. 



221 



SitPTEMBER 4, 1S57. 

Wizabeth Rausch in 

December 4, 1S57. 

John II. Ilnoker Emily 0. Hooker m 

Elmiia Bullin;in, w. of 
H. C. Hooker 

March 5, 1S5S. 

Adaline Van Derbilt ??i Parah M. Dehart m 
Kliza Ann Gordon ?)i Helen Thompson ni 
Abby Kliza Gordon m Deborah P. I'rovost 
Cornelia H. Gordon Ann Matilda, w. of T. 
Mary Jane lloagland m W. V. P. Mercereau 
Mrs. Sarah Ann Sill- Peter V. C. Siiydam | 
cocks, \v. of Benja- Sarah A. Sperling j" 
rain Kurinan Margaret Lott c in 

John S. Dehart m Kachel Van Doren c p C 

George V. Smith m 
Peter Melvin Gordon m 
.1. Baay c 

June 4, 1858. 



Ida Maria Nelson m 
Anna Maria Skillman 

m 
Kliza Jane Bodine 
Margaret Hyder, w. of 

John Ackerman m 
Mary Elizabeth M'y- 

ckoff m 
Augusta McDonald in 
Edward F. liandolph I 

m V 

Caroline Remsen ) 

John Van Arsdale 
Henry V. D. Schenk 
Richard Garretson 
Maria Elizabeth, wid. of 

Dr. G. A. Van Dykec 
Sarah Hoagland 
Abby Freeman, wid. of 

Job AVells m 
Rachel Francis, w. of 

Thomas IJuick c 



Sarah L. Cowenhoven m 
Abbie Louisa Jenkins »i 
Jane Maria Jenkins, w. 

of John Y. Brokaw 
Lucretia Ann WyckofT, 

w. of Edward Tunison 

m 
Hannah A. Fisher m 
Ge'.ty Ann Manley, w. of 

Matthew E. Bergen m 
Elizabeth Smith, w. of 

John Verbi'ycke m 
George Buttler in 
Rynear V. N. Quick 
Gilberts. Van Pcltwi 
Henry H. Van Am- 

burgh m 
Morel Dunham e ) 

Liicinda c ) 

Abby M. Miller m 
RiciiAKD M. Whitbeck 



September 3, 1S58. 
Jane Bergen, wid. of Ezekial A'unk m 

Simon Hillyer Ann Louisa Hoagland 

Maria Hill.ver, wid. of m 

Stephen J. Emmans Julia Alletta Van Do- 
Maria Louisa Van Tiue ren in 

December 3, 1858. 
Ann Eliza Booraera, w. Ann Van Liew c 

of John Van Arsdale Helen Nafey in 

m Jane Van Nostrand, w. 

William E. S. Dehart 9?i of Andrew Ten Eyck 
EUoner Ten Broeck in 

Skillman, wid. of I'e- John U. Tapping m 

tor Van Tiue m 



March 4, 1S59. 

Mary Ann Cowenhoven 



Andrew Ten Eyck m 
Anna Matilda Bogert 
John S. Uutcult m 

Jc.VK 17, 18.19. 
Caroline S. Van Neste Hannah Francis c 

m 
Matthew E. Bergen c m 

September 2, 1859. 
Elizabeth Nevins 
Christiana Manninff, 
w. of John T. Jenkins w 



Dkcemder 2, 1S59. 

Martha V. AVilson c John Beokman cm } 
Richard M. Beekman Sarah E. Manley c W ) 

c m 
Nathaniel Scudder c p 

March 3, 1S60. 

Charles A. Richmond 7?i Elizabeth Smith, w. of 
James Henry Titus c p Duncan McNair m 

Jl'NK 1, ISGO. 

Abraham P. Provost m William Whyte 
Eliza W., wid. of Cor- Adam Lutz c wi 
nelius Shaddle 

August 31, 1860. 

Margaret McNair m Jacob D. Wycko ff 
Mary A. Marshall, w. 

of Henry V. D. 

Schenk c 

December 1, ISGO. 

Phebe, wid. of Michael Julia Smith, w. of Re 

Nevius c m 'William Cornell 

Matilda Nevius, c m 
Sarah M. Nevius c m 

March 1, 1861. 

Lydia D. Shotwell, w. Maria L. Schenck, w. 

of A. M. Gordon »i of Isaac V. D. Wil 
Mary Alletta AVortman liamson c in 

cp c 

August 31, 1S61. 

Helena V. Bergen, w. 
of Henry D. Bergen 
C m 

November 29, 1801. 

V. M. WyckoIT Suydam m 

Februart 28, 1SC2. 
Runyon R. Outcalt m 

May 80, 1SG2. 

Ann Crooks McNair Ann Disborough m 
Sarah M. Disborough, ■\Villlam H. Van Liew 

w. of David M. Bo- cp in 

gart in 

December 5, 1862. 

Mary Ann Buckelew, Richard M. Plumb 1 
w. of George \Y. ley c V 

Schenck Sarah Doremus c J 

Mrs. Elnora, w. of Rev. Amelia P. Berg c tn 
J. F. Berg, D.D. c in Ilermaa C. Berg c in 

Anna F. Bsrg c 

Junk 5, 1863. 

Abigal D. Wyckoff, w. Mary Elizabeth Cole c 
of Rev. David Cole c 

September 4, 1S63. 

Jane II. Manley, wid. of Sarah Maria Clark m 
I A. S. Bevier c 

December 11, 18G3. 

Josephine Nevius m John V. M. Wyckoff 1 
Fannie H., w. of Rev. cm > 

R. H. Steele c in Anna Walters c ) 

Lizzie T. Kelley, w. of Margaretta F. Clarke m 

H. H. Van Am- 

burgh c in 



222 



APPE]S"DIX. 



March 4, 1804. 



Cornelius L. Emmons 

m 
Cljailes M. Webber wi I 
Sarah M. Bergen tn f 
Sarah Agnes Booksta- 

ver 
Klizabeth Miller m 
Mary lli;.'gins, \v. of 

Hrnry Hoaglanfi c ni 
Adaline W. Uoagland 

c m 
Mary Williamson, w. of 

Jolin IJrunson c m 
Annie H. Foster, w. of 

T. B. Boomem c m 
Martha B. Van Nos- 

trand, c m 



John Brunson m 

Mary Klizabetli Frank- 
en, w. of K. T. B. Spa- 
der }>i 

Elizabeth Van Nostrand 

Eliza Evans Voorheesw. 

Ann Lott, w. of John 
EUlert c 

Maria Nicrhmaster, w. 
of J. G. I'aylor c 

Sarah L. Uoagland c m 

Letitia Brunson, wid. of 
Abraham Suydam c»n 

Emily Barker, w. of 
Abraham V. Schenck 
c m 



Junes, 1SC4. 



Catliarine Farmer, w. 

of Peter Cornell m 
Susan D. Nevius m 
Jane A. WyckolT m 
Cassie Wy tkofl' m 
Cornelia A'oorliees in 
Louisa Augusta Apple- 
gate 111 
Ellen S. Clark m 
John B. Stryker c ) 
Jane Van Tine c ) 
Ellen Ann Nevius, \r. 
of E. V. T. Brunson 
m 
Mrs. Martha J., w. of 
J. S. Deliart c in 



Abraham S. Johnson J 
m V 

Almira J. Meyer m ) 
Jemima M. Mauley m 
Abigal Maria Dehart w 
Sarah Johnson m 
Sarah S Voorhees m. 
Abraham Blew 
Isaac Covert c m ( 

Kachel Ann Smith c m f 
Mrs. Harr let Wyckoff c 
Mrs. Caroline, w. of Otis 

D. Stewart cm 
Amanda Stewart m 



Septe.mber 2, 1S64. 
Rebecca Packer, \y. of Oscar Johnson Jr. c m 

AVilliam Maloy m Margaret 'I'iinmons, w. 
Garret I'ulhemus c in ) ol Cornelius Uoagland 
Ciirnla. U. Gordon cm j m 
Eliza S.Schenck. will, of Sarah A. Van Ar.dale, 

Edward Manning m w. of Smith m 

Dece.mbeu 1, 1864. 

Margaret C. Sillcocks Martha F. Ilanlen jn 

in Peter Brunson in 

Samuel S. Van Anglenjw Abigal Voorhees, w. of 
Miss Ilattie A. Fo.-.ter c N. B. Dehart c in 

Maiich 2, 1804. 

I.rf;titia Van Arsdale m Cornelia Smock, w. of 
Sarah Hoagland m Robert Rowland m 

Wary P. Spangler, w. of Mary Jane, w. of Edwin 
Thomas M. Letson c Stewart c m 

JUKK 1, 1SG5. 

Sarah S. Bergen m, Amelia Brunson m 

Margaret J.lieekmanm Ellen V. Manlev, w. of 

Joanna Brunson m Rev. Cornelius Wy- 

Jane Elizabeth Wy- ckoff c 
ckoff m, 

Adgcst 31, 1805. 
Mary Connett m Matilda S. Hall m 

John C. IJall m Mrs. Mary Latcher, w. 

Abigal M.. w. of Henry of Adam Lutz m 
M. Price m 

November 30, 1865. 

Catharine L. Van Nuis, Mary B. Remsen 
w. of J. V. 1£, Van Ellen Louisa AVyckofif 
Cleef m, Anna C. Beekman m 



Nicholas W. Parsell in 
Jane D. Van Arsdale m 
James McNair in 
Ellen Wyckoff, w. of J. 
V. N. Garretson c rn 



Catharine Eliza Stry- 
ker, w. of Josiah 
Schenck c nx 



March 1, 1SG6. 

Ruth V. Rerdine in Peter R. Boice c m ] 
John Van Nuis, Sr. m Sarah S. Schenck c?;i f 
0. A. Kibbey cwi | Ferdinand F. Cortel-") 

Catharine Stryker COT )' you c ?« 1 

James W. Van Liew c Margaret G. Harriet / 
John K. Cortelyou p?» cm J 

Martha Elizabeth Man- 
ley m, 

May 31, ISCG. 

Mrs. Elizabeth C. War- Ella Garretson m 

»er m James C. Garretson m 

Mattie !\I. Garretson m AVilliam Sl<illman 
John V. H. Van Cleef Isaac S. Schenck m 

»« Mary H;ilstead, w. of 

Archibald Craig Voor- James C. Van Arsdale 

hees m c rn 

Charles II. Steele m Joanna Stothoff, w. of 
Mrs. Catharine Rapple- John Cortelyou in 

yea c in Ann Auuusta, w. of Gar- 

Lizzie A. Van Cleef in ret V." Wilson c m 
Caroline Van Arsdale, 
w. of James S.. Ber- 
gen m 

At'GrsT 80, ISCC. 

Carrie A. Coddington m Levi Levy m 
Jacob K. Bookstaver »i Susan .M., \v. of John 
Susan Van Neste m C. Vooihees in 

Jerome B. Borden C'?/l | Garret Q. Brokaw c m ) 

Rebecca A. c in ( Elizabeth Cortelyou c v 

Maria Schenk, w. of m \ 

William H. William- Mary Jane Mc Williams 

son in c in 

William T. Manley m 

November 29, 1806. 

Ephralm Van Tine Louisa Ackerman c in 
Brunson m Sally Ueliart c in 

Adaline Horton, w. of Matilda Ann Stephens 
William Fbigg cm cp m 

Maggie E. Ackerman Phebe Davis e»t 
w. of William H. Al- Catharine Davis c in 
endorph c m Amelia Ackerman c in 

FERB0ARY 28, 1S6T. 



Catharine Miller, w. of 
Isaac Williamson in 
Matilda Garretson m 
Charles D. Voo hees m 
Frances Turnbull, wid. 
of James W. Van 
Liew in 
Edwin Stewart c in 
Theodore Quick cm, \ 
Cornelia Johnson c in j 
Catliarine Burhansf m 
Elizabi-th Atkinson, 
wid. of J. F. Hart m 
Abbie Voorhees m 



Robert L. Hoagland m 
Otis D. Stewart m 
Mary Bulinan, w. of 

James Nicholson in 
Mary Lenn, w. of Prof. 

Jacob Cooper m 
Sarah Clark, wid. of Rev. 

Anthony Elmendorf c 

in 
Harriet Stryker, w. of 

N. I). Atkinson c in 
Jane V., w. of John Wal- 

dron cm 
Henry L. Elmendorf 



May SO, 1867. 

Susannah B. Hoagland Mercy A. Hoagland m 

m Eliza A, Beavers m 

Julia McDonald m Gertrude Eldri'ige in 

Cornelia J. Suydam m Mary E. Fldriii'-'e in 

Anna Ten Eick in Catharine Rausch in 

Mary Stout m Frederick 0. Van Deur- 
Abraham P. Cox m, sen in 

J. Newton Terrill m Sylvester G. Dehart m 



APPENDIX. 



223 



Tien.iamin Smith m. Stewart n. Dfliart in 

Howard M. Van C'loef >?i Silas W. Sillcocks m 
Jacob W SchencJc ?/l Cliauncey 1'. Wheeler wi 
r.achel F. Dunham m Anna Smith c ni 
i;eitrude lieekman, w. Harriet (ioddard, w. of 
of Benjamin Smith c John K. DelMott c m 
m Mary F. Outcalt c p m 

Mary Jane Van Deur- . 

sen c m 



ArcrsT29, 1SG7. 

Catharine Ann Outcalt, Annie II. Billis, w. of 
w. of Abraliam P. Richard D. Fislier c Hi 
Provost m Gertrude F. Fislier, w. 

ICate Suydam in of J. C. Scott c m 



Annie B. Schenckwi Eli/.a F. 'WiHiams, w. of 
Sarah P. Manley c in AVilliaui F. De Hart ni 
Sarah Ann Manley, w. Hannah, wid. of Wm. 

of Solomon Painter McDonald 

C m 
Hannah M. Byram, w. 

of Rev. A. McKelvey 

C m 

November 29, 1SC7. 

Sarah French, w. of Clara A. Jones m 

Peter J. Suydara m Jeremiah V. D. Stryker 

Majrsie H. Suydam vi m 

Mary Jane Suydam m Sarah A. Seholield c m 
Henrietta Suydam m 



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